Kids get to play and they don't have jobs, but they still have plenty to worry about. Stress from things like school and social situations can feel overwhelming for kids, particularly if they don't have healthy strategies to cope with strong feelings and solve everyday problems.
A recent KidsHealth® KidsPoll showed that kids deal with stress in both healthy and unhealthy ways, and while they may not initiate a conversation about what's bothering them, they do want their parents to reach out and help them cope with their feelings.
But it's not always easy for parents to know how to connect with a child who's feeling stressed.
Here are a few ideas:
Notice out loud.
Tell your child when you notice something he or she might be feeling..
Listen to your child.
Ask your child to tell you what's wrong....
Comment briefly on the feelings you think your child was experiencing.
For example, you might say...
Put a label on it.
Many kids do not yet have words for their feelings. ...
Help your child think of things to do.
Suggest activities your child can do to feel better now and to solve the problem at hand...
Just be there.
Sometimes kids don't feel like talking about what's bothering them. Respect that, give your child space, and...
Be patient.
As a parent, it hurts to see your child unhappy or worried. But try to resist the urge to fix every problem. Instead, focus on
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