When stress gets kids…

Being a kid can be great fun. No day job, meetings to attend, or accounts to pay. Still, it is possible for children to experience stress at any age. 

Common stressors

• Being pushed to meet high expectations from parents, teachers or coaches.
• Bullying or teasing at school.
• Peer pressure. 
• Divorce in the family.
• Death of a loved one.

Healthy vs. unhealthy stress
A certain amount of stress is normal and can have a positive impact on your child’s development. It can help him tackle a big test or sports event, cope with new situations, and build resilience.

However, too much stress can create unnecessary hardship and challenges. When stress interferes with your child’s every day, normal functioning, it is unhealthy and can have serious mental and physical health implications. 

If unmanaged, chronic stress can weaken your child’s immune system, which can increase his risk for depression.

Beware the symptoms:

Physical:

• Headaches.
• Change in appetite.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Constipation or diarrhoea. 
• Nausea and vomitting. 
  

Emotional:

• Restlessness, irritability and moodiness. 
• Withdrawal from school or family activities. 
• Being worried or anxious all the time. 
• Excessive whining or crying.
• Clinginess. 

What to do

• Talk to your child. Encourage him to open up about his feelings and concerns. Listen calmly and attentively, and be understanding. Avoid judging, blaming or lecturing him. 
• Be patient. Try to resist the urge to fix everything. Overcoming stress will take time. Focus on helping your child, one step at a time. 
• Avoid placing unrealistic expectations on your child. This will only end in disappointment for you both. Instead, recognise his achievements (even the smallest ones) and encourage him to do better. 
• Take an active and genuine interest in your child’s education and hobbies. Support him unconditionally. This will show him that you care, which will build his self-worth. 
• Set out time to relax. Give your child free time to play, read or do whatever he enjoys doing. Children need a break to just be kids. 

Help at hand 
If your child’s symptoms don’t go away or worsen, take him to the doctor for a full check-up. There could be a medical explanation. If nothing medical can explain your child’s symptoms, get in touch with a psychologist. He will be able to help identify the problem and overcome feelings of severe stress.