7 Signs Of Stress In Children And How To Help Them
Just like us grownups, even children go through stress. Bullying at school, too much of homework, or seeing their parents go through a divorce- there could be many things that might leave a child feeling stressed. Even minute things which get glossed over by us can disturb a child’s feeling of safety. If you look more closely, you might be able to figure out if your child is under stress by watching out for some signs:
1. Change In Appetite
It could be either a loss of appetite or overeating. Binging on food or having a poor appetite could be a sign of stress. They might turn to food for comfort (1).
2. Wanting To Skip School
We have all occasionally skipped school in our childhood by faking a stomach ache or fever. But if it becomes a frequent thing, it might be a reason for concern. There might be several reasons that might leave your child stressed like exams, schoolwork, socially fitting in with other kids, and bullying at school. Children can also be stressed if they are not able to pick up the pace with other kids when learning. They may start to feel like they are stupid, and may be reluctant to attend school (2).
3. Poor Sleep Pattern
Children who are stressed may not be able to get enough sleep through the night. They might have trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep. They might be stressed if they constantly complain of nightmares, or ask you to get into bed with them (3). Technology also plays a part in children getting poor sleep. Taking the phone with them to bed might be stopping them from sleeping (4).
4. Feeling Ill
Have you felt sick to your stomach when you were nervous or stressed? The same goes for children as well. If your child complains about stomach aches or headaches all the time, it might be a sign of being stressed. It could be before an exam, or project work (5).
5. Doing The Babytalk
Children may resort to baby talk to communicate to you about feeling stressed. If older kids start to baby talk, it might indicate that they are in distress and are seeking your attention. They use baby talk as a mode to regress to their past where they felt safer (6).
6. Getting Low Grades
Another obvious sign of stress is slipping grades. If your child is a straight A’s or B’s student, and suddenly you see them getting lower grades, there could be a reason why. A child cannot go from grade A to grade D overnight. Children can also get stressed because of the academic pressure they face from their parents and teachers (7).
7. Having A Negative Attitude
If your child appears sad and unhappy, it might indicate that they are under stress. If you see that your child is misbehaving, it might be to get your attention. They may be doing it unconsciously. Parents need to know how their child behaves normally to be able to notice any behavioral changes in them (8).
How You Can Help
Parents can help their children deal with stress in a more healthy way by providing a safe, secure atmosphere at home.
- Spend family time with your child, like going on a movie or a picnic. It can be comforting.
- It’s important to listen to your child without being critical. Be supportive and try to build up their feelings of self-worth.
- Don’t obsess over the things that they cannot get right. Instead of punishing them, reward them when they do something good.
- If you are moving to a new city or changing schools, it’s always better to talk about it as early as possible to your child.
- If you are stressed yourself, find a creative outlet for your stress. Having a meltdown or being aggressive will not create a positive environment for your kid.
Also, keep a check on what kind of TV shows or games they enjoy. Don’t let them watch anything that shows violence.
It can be overwhelming for any parent to know that their child is going through a rough time. But know that kids draw strength from their family or their favorite teacher. You can help your child come out of stress by being empathetic and patient. Also, if you feel like your child’s stress doesn’t seem to decrease or go away, seek help from a therapist or a counselor.
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