We know that children today are suffering from anxiety more than ever before and this is worrying for parents. I guess you are wondering like a lot of parents why kids are suffering from stress and anxiety at a time when they should be enjoying a care-free life.
We know that children today are suffering from anxiety more than ever before and this is worrying for parents. I guess you are wondering like a lot of parents why kids are suffering from stress and anxiety at a time when they should be enjoying a care-free life. Though you would imagine a child wouldn’t need to be anxious the reality is kids are stressed and for parents to recognise the problem we need to be aware it exists. In this article, we offer some tips on signs of anxiety and stress.
How do you help your child with their anxiety? Here are a few tips:
- Reassurance works wonders and try not to berate your child for worrying or feeling anxious. Dismissing their big or little worries is one way to push them away.
- Talk to your child about their worry and listen contently. Let them chat about their anxiety without interrupting until they are finished and then, ask them a few questions about their feelings.
- Let your nipper worry but avoid letting it consume them. Be proactive and speak to your child about managing their anxiety whether by exercise, reading or mindfulness. Accept that a lot of kids have anxiety and though your other kids may not suffer from it, it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your child.
- Be supportive and check in with your child regularly. Especially after school or after time away from you. Chat over dinner and problem solve together as a family to get everyone talking openly and honestly.
If your child doesn’t tell you when they are anxious and you are worried you may not notice the signs - Here are a few telltale signs that your kiddie is experiencing anxiety.
- Changes in eating habits usually are one of the signs or disinterest in food. However, other kids may become more reliant on food, so it is good to pick up on anything out of the normal behaviour spectrum for your child.
- Some children will complain of a sore head (a headache) and other kids can experience stomach disruption or pain. In some cases, children may have problems with constipation or bowel issues and being made aware of these is hard when your child is more independent.
- Bedwetting that is out of character is usually a sign of stress or anxiety. While some kids often suffer with bed wetting problems if it occurs out of nowhere there must be a reason especially if it continues.
- Nightmares or night terrors are another sign of anxiety. Some children may not settle at all at night and they may once settled, wake up screaming or crying. This is extremely upsetting for all involved.
The fact is parents cannot eradicate a child’s anxiety, but they can learn to help their child manage it properly, so it doesn’t take over their life. If the anxiety is a real issue it may be easy to tackle the issue and therefore remove the anxiety but if the anxiety isn’t issue-driven this can be more complicated. You need to teach your child, a coping mechanism to target the anxiety and there are a few ways you can do this including mindfulness, yoga, talking and deep breathing techniques. Support your child and in time their anxiety should be manageable.
Written by Emma Hayes staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.emmamadjotters.com.
