Children and stress
Young people or kids often hear from their parents that they don't know what stress is.
That's wrong.
Today more and more kids are stressed out and sometimes more than their parents.
Causes for a child feeling stressed could be a divorce, new school, bullying, violence at home and pressure to get good grades. As every child is different these are just general causes.
A small child might not know it's stressed and an adolescent might think it's normal.
We have to remember that during your teens you are very vulnerable and changes effect you more than when you're an adult. There can be a lot of pressure to be "perfect" from friends and desire to fit in.
So how do I know my child is stressed?
Sometimes it can be difficult to see or understand that your child is not feeling very well. Some children try not to show their parents and if you don't ask you won't know.
But if you child show symptoms like having no appetite, being tired, staying in her/his room all day long, not wanting to go to school or do things he/she usually likes or getting aggressive, then maybe it's good you try to talk to your child.
You know your child and what's normal for him/her.
How can I help my child? Does he needs to go to a psychiatrist?
First thing to do is to talk to your child and find out exactly what the problem is. Once you have established the main reasons you can discuss how to handle it.
Show your child you are there for him/her when ever needed. It's important to feel loved and secured throughout your whole life and especially in your teens.
Is the problem at school? Talk to the teacher and see if that helps.
Maybe you as a parent can do something to ease the stress at home?
If you see no way out, talk to your child and suggest he/she should see someone professional. Remember you child that it's totally normal to look for help when you're not Feeling Good.
To ease the stress for everyone it's recommended to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Spend more time with your family doing an activity.
Get some books on stress so that you can help more.
You have to learn how to cope with stress, it's something you have to deal with everyday so help your child at an early stage.