HELP YOUR CHILD COPE WITH STRESS

HELP YOUR CHILD COPE WITH STRESS

We may not like it, but the bitter fact remains that our children are as susceptible to stress as we are! Only the manifestations differ! And also the other sad part of the story is that they are helpless victims, until we assist and guide them to cope with stress! Now, what can be the stress-factors which can disturb and disrupt the idyllic and carefree childhood that we all want our children to experience? Well, if you consider the factors……. There are plenty! Any sudden change in the environment could be overwhelming for a child, say, divorce between the parents, death of a loved person or even pet, moving to a new locality or school, activity overload, peer pressure, any prolonged and debilitating illness are just a few to start with! In fact, stress and those overwhelming feelings of doubt about ourselves or our ability to handle things — is as common in children as in adults. The greatest challenge to parents today is teaching children to manage stress effectively.

First lookout for symptoms of stress in a child, which can be pretty varied! These could be the possible signs: * Physical symptoms
o headache
o upset stomach or vague stomach pain
o sleep disturbances
o nightmares
o new or recurrent bed wetting
o decreased appetite, other changes in eating habits
o stuttering
o feeling unwell with no apparent illness
* Emotional or behavioral symptoms
o anxiety
o inability to relax
o new or recurring fears (fear of the dark, of being alone,of strangers)
o clinging, unwillingness to let you out of sight
o inexplicable anger outbursts
o crying or nagging
o inability to control emotions
o aggressive, rebellious and stubborn behavior
o unwillingness to participate in group activities
o sudden withdrawal and spending time in solitude
o drastic change in academic performance
……….. and so on!

If your child is showing these changes its time for your helpful intervention. Here are some ways you can help your child deal with stress:
*Make time for your child each day. Even as your child gets older, this "quality time" is important.
*Help your child cope evaluate the stress-factor by talking with him or her about what may be causing it. Together, you can come up with a few solutions.
*You can also help your child anticipate potentially stressful situations and be prepared for them, like, new experiences, fear of unpredictable outcomes, unpleasant sensations, unmet needs or desires, and loss.
* Provide a secure, consistent, and dependable home atmosphere.
* Encourage questions.
* Encourage expression of concerns, worries, or fears.
* Listen to your child without being critical. Never criticize in presence of outsiders.
* Build your child's feelings of self-worth. Use encouragement and affection.
* Try to use positive encouragement and reward instead of punishment
* Allow the child opportunities to make choices and have some control in his or her life. * Encourage physical activity.
*don’t pressurize your child with preferences and expectations.
* Don't try to fix everything for your child. Avoid offering advice. Just a patient hearing may be enough to relieve the stress.
* if your child has done something negative, explain gently, never to repeat it! Build up the scope for confiding!

You can do so much to alleviate stress in your little ones' lives! Help your child set realistic expectations, and remember that nobody is perfect and that things don’t always work the way we want them to! Remind your child that its important to learn to love and respect one’s own self and others!

HAPPY ‘STRESS-PARENTING’!!