Stress can happen to anyone, including your kids. However, children respond to stress in different ways. They can be more clingy, angry, agitated, or do things they normally don’t. Prolonged stress can cause many negative consequences such as: increased blood pressure, weakened immune systems, and higher chances of diseases like obesity and heart disease. Stress can also lead to other mental health issues (example: anxiety and depression).
For young kids, problems at home are often a common source of stress. Family problems, divorce, major life changes (new family member or a big move), or even a global pandemic can be sources of stress in children. Tips from the CDC on helping children cope.
School can be another source of stress for children: difficulty learning, issues with other children, bullying, fitting in, tests or grades, teachers, or just an unfamiliar environment can stress your child out!
Signs of stress in children can be:
-Irritability and/or anger: It can be difficult for adults to describe what is stressing them out. Imagine your child dealing with these feelings and not knowing how to communicate them! Not knowing how to handle stress or articulate their feelings can lead to short-tempers or be more argumentative than normal.
-Changes in behavior: If your child loves to play and all of a sudden is lethargic, this can be troublesome. Or, your child loves to read and doesn’t show interest anymore. Drastic changes are often signs that there is an issue.
-Trouble sleeping: Problems with sleep can be oversleeping or not sleeping enough/having issues falling asleep.
-Irresponsible behavior: Your child may not want to do homework or be forgetting obligations such as chores around the house.
-Eating changes: Eating too much or too little suddenly.
-Getting sick more often: Stressing can manifest as physical symptoms. Children may have more headaches or stomachaches.
Respond to your child’s reactions in a supportive way. You may feel stressed yourself seeing your child upset, but it is important to show them healthy habits for managing stress.
Our top tips for parents:
-Keep children close to parents and family, and avoid separating them and their caregivers as much as possible. If separation occurs, ensure regular contact and reassurance. You can schedule daily or weekly activities with your child that both of you may enjoy!
-Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as possible. You can also create new ones in new environments. For example, if you and your family just moved, you can have a family outing day every Sunday!
-Provide facts about the situation, how it happened and what’s going on now. Many parents faced challenging situations with COVID-19. You should give clear information about how to reduce their risk of being infected in a language they understand (depending on their age) and in a reassuring way.
-Include time for school and learning and also time for safely playing and relaxing.
-Give them extra time and attention.
-Remember to listen to their concerns, speak kindly, and reassure them.
Other tips we love.
