| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | house fire or a natural disaster. Instead, help children |
| Is your child stressed out? Some people think only | | | | count their blessings. Comfort and reassure them by |
| adults experience stress, but it affects our children | | | | saying, "We're strong and we're going to make it." |
| too. Here's how to help your child manage their | | | | "And as difficult as it may be, try to maintain |
| emotions. | | | | everyday routines. |
| We often view our kids as happy-go-lucky beings | | | | For many young victims of floods or fire, for |
| without a care. But children can also experience | | | | example, going back to school, even in another city, |
| stress. Not only do they get anxious about things in | | | | can help bring some normalcy back to their disrupted |
| their own young world--school, friends, peer | | | | lives. What can also help is to make sure children |
| pressure--but they also can be deeply affected by | | | | have positive outlets like physical activity, going to |
| outside factors such as war, natural disasters and | | | | the movies or spending time with friends. |
| other unsettling world events. | | | | 4. Lead by example. |
| In fact, the list of contributors to childhood stress | | | | Children often learn to deal with stress by mimicking |
| can be quite long. Many stressors are the result of | | | | how you respond in challenging times. Even if you |
| family problems, like divorce, a death or a parent's | | | | don't tell your child that you're about to be laid off |
| job loss but there are also less obvious triggers such | | | | from your job or that you're worried that your |
| as moving to a new city or the birth of a new sibling. | | | | marriage is on the verge of breaking up, they can still |
| As a parent, you can become attuned to what's a | | | | pick up on your stress. |
| normal amount of anxiety for your child and what is | | | | They may not understand the underlying causes but |
| not. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, use | | | | they can hear the strained tone and elevated volume |
| the following tools to help your child handle it better. | | | | of your voice,which gives them the message that |
| Tuning into Anxiety Attack symptoms | | | | something's going on that may affect them too. |
| 1. Tune in to their moods. | | | | That's why it's so important to show them good |
| Pay attention to your child's behavior. Take the time | | | | coping skills. If you light a cigarette, have a drink, or |
| to talk to your child to get to the root of the | | | | use foul language when you're under pressure, your |
| problem. Ask questions like "How are you feeling?" | | | | little one may internalize that as a coping method. |
| "What's happening at school?" or "How are things | | | | Instead, model healthy behavior during difficult times, |
| with your friends?" | | | | such as writing in a journal, de-stressing in a hot bath, |
| When you show concern for their problems and | | | | sharing how you feelwithout blaming, or taking a |
| issues, it's reassuring to them and they'll be more | | | | walk. |
| responsive to that attention. | | | | 5. Instill confidence. |
| 2. Watch the same shows they do. | | | | When children are young, there are times when you |
| If you have younger children, you certainly don't | | | | will have to come to their defense and help them |
| want them watching the doom and gloom of daily | | | | handle tough situations. But as they get older, you |
| news shows. Children's minds are like sponges in they | | | | also have to let them champion themselves, which |
| absorb almost everything they see or hear. | | | | builds their confidence in their ability to resolve |
| They are especially sensitive to negative energy, pain | | | | problems on their own. |
| or suffering. Shows like the news can be traumatizing | | | | One of your missions as a parent is to know when |
| and anxiety-producing for younger children. | | | | to step in and when to stand back. Your response |
| It's important to discuss with them what they've | | | | will depend on the child's temperament, maturity and |
| seen. You can't tell them that it's never going to | | | | the situation. |
| happen to them but you can say,"We're going to do | | | | For example, your third grader may be able to |
| everything we can to protect you". It's also a good | | | | confront a taunting classmate on their own, but a |
| idea to let them know whom to call and what to do | | | | serious case of bullying may warrant your |
| in case of an emergency. | | | | intervention. |
| 3. Focus on the positive. | | | | Still, always make sure your child knows you've got |
| There is obviously no way a child can be shielded | | | | their back. Tell them, "Try it on your own first,but if |
| from a major trauma such as a death in the family, a | | | | you need help,let me know and I'll be there. |