Wouldn't it be great if our kids could wake up each day and simply enjoy the many pleasures of childhood? Riding bikes with neighborhood friends, building LEGO castles, trying out for the school baseball team, sitting down to a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and ice-cold milk without a care in the world?
A carefree childhood is something we wish all kids could experience. But the reality is that today's kids face a lot of stress and worry in their daily lives. Stress comes in many forms, from school drama like peer pressure and dealing with learning challenges, to family worries like divorce, financial hardships, and moving.
You can help your child by learning to recognize the signs of stress and teaching him healthy ways to deal with it. Here are six tangible tools that can help your kids stay on an even keel.
Tip #1: Keep the lines of communication open
If you notice that your child is looking more worried or stressed than usual, ask her what's on her mind. Having regular conversations can help a family work together to better understand and address any stressors children are experiencing.
Middle-school-aged kids whose parents pay attention to their behavior, structure their environment, and stay informed about their activities have fewer instances of problem behavior in adolescence.
Low levels of parental communication have been associated with poor decision making in children and teens. A study in the National Institute of Health explains that middle-school-aged kids whose parents pay attention to their behavior, structure their environment, and stay informed about their activities have fewer instances of problem behavior in adolescence.
Staying connected by talking to your kids and promoting open communication and problem-solving can help them manage their stress before it escalates to acting out.
Tip #2: Break challenges into chunks and visualize success
Dr. Michele Borba, a globally-recognized educational psychologist and parenting expert, shared some powerful advice in an article for US News, How to Help Kids 'Keep Calm and Carry On' in Uncertain Times. She spoke of how kids are more anxious now than ever. Terrorism, mass shootings, natural catastrophes, pandemics—it's a lot to take in!
Kids tell me they want ways to keep their stress in...Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips
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