Helping Your Child Through Stressful Times
By Rachel Shouse
Everyone, regardless of age, is going to experience stress at one point or another. Young children and teens are no exception. Adults tend to see kids as the lucky ones. They don't have a job to worry about, finances to handle, etc. The problem with that way of thinking is that kids and teens do have genuine stress. Identifying the cause of their stress, helping them find a solution, and getting them professional help are all great ways to help your child through tough times.
Helping Your Child Identify Their Stress
Some kids are more open to talking about their problems than others. If your child is more open to talking, try striking up regular conversations. If your child is more reserved, it might take a bit more digging to really figure out the problem. Not that you should take a nagging approach.
One way to tell that your more reserved child is stressed is by observing their behavior. Parents know when there's something wrong most of the time. Not every child shows signs of any problems; those are by far the toughest to recognize. If you notice that your child is starting to lash out or act out of character, pay close attention to what was going on when the attitude arose. What were you talking about? Was there a lot going on? Things like this can help tell you where the problem is.
Teaching Your Child to Solve Problems in a Healthy Way
One of the hardest parts to parenting is remaining patient. It may be hard to think about your child and how they're feeling when they're behaving in a way that is less than desirable. You'll have to think clearly through the frustration.
A lot of kids struggle with pressures from school. Homework and extracurricular activities take up a lot of their time outside of school. If you notice that homework time is a battle, getting ready for school is a fight, and/or you're getting negative reports from school your child could very well be facing stress due to school and other activities. Sometimes their plates are simply too full. Having a conversation with them about cutting back on certain activities is sometimes exactly what they need to hear.
Identifying Mental Health Problems in Your Child
Parents really do know their children best. You'll most likely notice a flip in behavior. While this is normal amongst prepubescent teens, you may notice that the behavior is going above and beyond what is normal. It's normal for kids to get frustrated, angry, and feel defeated. They shouldn't feel that way all the time. If you think your child could benefit from a mental health examination or even talk to a counselor, don't hesitate to do so. It could be exactly what they need.
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