Support Your Child in Times of Stress - 1Here are several ways you can support your child by helping him manage his stress level: Boost his self-image and confidence You can do this by constantly showing love and affection, especially in times when your child is having a hard time at school dealing with bullies, terror teachers, and difficult school projects. Take time to also talk to your kids about family matters. This will make them feel so much part of the family and give them the sense of belongingness that they deserve to feel at home. Think ahead Try to be very involved in your child’s affairs such as upcoming exams, school events, extracurricular activities, etc. Observe how he is faring in such activities. This way, you can anticipate which events can stress him. In your talks with him, gently remind him of the things he needs to do to avoid stress from accumulating. Be very keen on the changes that you notice in him like, for example, a change in his sleeping pattern: does he find it difficult to sleep? Take note also of a change in his behavior: does he become easily irritated by small things? Take these as early warning signs that your kid is under stress. In such case, make a way to alleviate it. Communicate Keep the communication lines open between you and your kid. Encourage your kid to talk and freely express himself to you without fear of being judged. This way, he will feel that he does not need to hide anything from you. If he is having a hard time solving a math problem, he knows that you will not think less of him. This way, he can feel confident to still go on with his homework because he feels that you are content with his abilities. Accept Your Kid for What He is Wanting your kid to be the best person that he can be is something that may still happen in the future. Pushing him to excel all the time might put too much pressure on him. Instead, open your eyes to what he is and what he is not, and peacefully accept the things that he can do and those that he cannot do. Involve your Child If there are small problems or tasks to do that require creative thinking, get your kid to participate. This will give him the opportunity to explore the capacity of his mind and come up with solutions. Give Your Kid Distraction Options When things are not going well with his friend at school or when he failed during a try out in the basketball varsity team, it is wise to give him an activity that will distract him from his upsetting emotions. A family outing can insulate him from his emotional upset. Encourage Independence While as parents you should be there for your kids, it would do well if you let them develop their wings and have them explore the world independently so they can learn how to fare through the changing directions of the winds. This can add up to his self-confidence. Let your kids play with other kids and deal with other people. This will help him get different perspectives about things.
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