One of the most helpful things a parent can do is to be available to their child. Children who have parents to talk to about their feelings are better at calming down after a stressful incident.
According to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, 20% of children suffer from extreme stress, but only 8% of parents think that their kids are stressed. That means that almost half of all stressed kids have parents who don’t recognize their stress. Stress can hurt kids physically, academically, emotionally, and socially.
Feelings in children create different types of stress. Stress can cause anxiety, depression, and disruptive behaviors.
Here are some signs your child is feeling stress:
1. Difficulties with sleep
Kids may have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep, or wake up early, or even seek out too much sleep.
2. Increase or decrease in appetite
When kids are stressed, they may seek food to manage emotions. On the other hand, some kids may develop a loss of appetite.
3. Changes in mood or behavior
Anger kids are not happy kids. A child who is consistently grumpy is struggling to deal with feelings.
4. Physical symptoms like stomachaches and headache
Kids who have physical complaints or pains are showing their stress through their bodies.
Good parenting is the best solution to childhood stress. A supportive parent offers to listen to a child's feelings as well as thoughts. When children have opportunities to talk about their feelings and thoughts, they feel less stress. Try being present and available. Sit in the same room as your child. Dedicate more quality time.