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Stress is the reaction of our minds and bodies to unsettling experiences.
Too much stress can have negative consequences and can even make us
ill. For this reason, the things that cause stress in children should
be taken seriously before they are able to cause harm.
What are the signs of a distressed child? Anger, aggressiveness, anxiety,
crankiness, bedwetting, crying too easily, overeating, increased clumsiness,
hair twisting, teeth clenching, fighting with or withdrawing from other
children, or failing at school, are all on the list.
Causes of stress can lurk anywhere: Pressure from home or school; being
too busy with over-loaded schedules; family changes such as divorce
or remarriage; feeling unloved or misunderstood; or even worries about
unsettling events elsewhere in the world.
It’s important to remember that children cannot analyze and control
stress-causing events as well as adults can. They need guidance from
adults.
Family support is a vital antidote to stress, so be sure to relax and
talk together. Curb access to violent TV shows and movies. Keep daily
life calm. Pets are often a good buffer and an emotional refuge. Relaxed
parents, who cope positively with their own stress, pass on these skills
to children.
It also helps to maintain a network of friends and activities outside
the home. This support and acceptance play a very helpful role.
Children also cope better with stress in their lives when they don’t
feel helpless. So teach them how to care for themselves and take on
family responsibilities as they grow. Show them how to balance chores
and play. Help them plan schedules that are tenable. Show them the
importance of adequate rest and proper nutrition. All these precautions
help prevent stress from erupting in the first place.
Encourage your children to ask for help when they need it, analyze
their problems as they arise, and plan their alternatives for coping.
It’s been demonstrated that children who enjoy learning have
good defenses against stress, so encourage your children to do their
best in schools. But remember that too much academic pressure is a
chief cause of childhood stress, so don’t go overboard.
If your child is having a problem at school, support the school’s
efforts to correct the problems. Confide in your child’s teachers
and principal if you sense there is a problem with stress. These professionals
are trained at mixing coping skills into classroom activities like
group discussions, role-playing, films, and problem-solving exercises.
In fact, keeping in touch with a child’s school is an important
safeguard for combating stress.
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