One thing we might not always realize as adults with our own stress, is our children get stressed too. More often than not, they probably don’t know what they’re feeling or how to deal with it.
As parents, it’s our job to help our children’s understand and put into words what they’re feeling, as well as helping them learn ways to cope with it.
A group of radiation oncologists at the Teton Cancer Institute helped us put together this list of ways you can help your children cope with stress.
Talk
The best thing you can do for your child when you feel they’re under a lot of stress is talk to them. Let them know you’re there to help them with whatever they’re going through.
Stress for many children often stems from problems with their friends or at school. Talking to your child will help you to know if there are any outside problems you aren’t aware of.
From there you can help them solve the problems creating their stress.
Sleep
Kids need a lot of sleep.
- Kids three and under need up to 14 hours of sleep.
- Children ages 4-13 need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep.
- And teenagers from 14 to 18 need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep.
Try to help your child at least get the minimum hours of sleep they need by creating a good sleep environment for them.
Some ways you can create a good sleep environment:
- Keep electronics out of the bedroom.
- Control the temperature – don’t let it get too hot or too cold at night.
- Check their mattresses and replace them as needed. (Loose springs and old lump mattresses can cause restless sleep).
- No food or drinks within an hour of bedtime.
No Rush
Sometimes (or maybe often) our mornings can get chaotic and rushed. This stresses children out just as much as, or maybe even more than it stresses us (the parents).
When possible, get up and help your children get up in the morning with plenty of time to do everything they need to get ready in the morning. Be patient with your children when they’re moving a little slower than you’d like or if they’re struggling with basic things like putting their shoes on.
Help them as much as you can. This is where the child’s day starts.
If it starts off poorly at home, it can be hard to recover and have a good day at school. So create plenty of time and exercise patience.
Practice Relaxation
Practice relaxation techniques with your child. Breathing exercises and meditation are great coping mechanisms for stress.
Listening to relaxing music or find something else to focus on (like counting clouds) are also great relaxation techniques. Find a couple different methods to practice with your child and see what they respond the best to.
When you notice that they seem stressed, suggest they do the relaxation method you taught them. Let them know that they can do this anytime they are feeling anxious or stressed.
Take notice of your child and the things that might be causing them stress. Do what you can to help them through their stress.
Maybe you can both learn to cope with your stresses together.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, 5 to 7 million children in the US experience bedwetting. In most of the cases, bedwetting doesn’t need to be treated and it’s considered part of growing up. Can emotional stressors cause bedwetting in children?
