7 Reasons Your Child Might Be Stressed

Stress for children can be as a result of different sources. Children can undergo a series of depressing events and go nuts about it. With changes in behavior like not sleeping well or sleeping too much, not eating or eating a bit too much... Sometimes they just keep to themselves and not say much… Children can get stress from school, family, grades, gossip, teasing, friends or even homework.

The truth is children don’t know how to respond to stress or stressful situations. Most children undergoing stress blame themselves and just want to hurt themselves… you know? Children bang their heads on walls …bite, stab, cut and even worse start hating themselves. There are ways to make sure this never happens to your child. The best way to deal with this is to catch it early.

Sometimes we let things slip up. Half of the time we can’t get where we went wrong! But we can still do it, we can still find well in advance before our babies become stressed up. You are a grown up and you know how it feels. Don’t let your child go through this without your support. Our parenting style could cause stress to our own kids. Check yourself first before playing Dr. Phil. A survey carried out by KidsHealth® KidsPoll revealed that 75% of the children interviewed wished their parents were there for them more. Talk to them, solve issues with them, cheer them up, and basically spend more time with them. Sadly parents came a distant 9th on the list of who they feel they can currently discuss their stress with!? Yeah, they'd rather do everything else than talk to you.

There are 7 ways to tell if your child might be stressed. It will baffle you how often these things go past us and we let the world tear our kids apart. Our children will act out and suffer physical ailments when they are under stress. Toddlers and teenagers may react differently to stress but some tale-tell signs are manifested almost in the same way across all age groups. Even our adult children! They never grow up, do they?

1. Aggressiveness

Some children become overly aggressive when undergoing stress. They will overreact in otherwise small issues and throw tantrums. The slightest provocation could send them shouting, name calling and sometimes becoming physical with hitting, biting or kicking. Some want to do all that to themselves as a way of coping with guilt. When you notice signs of aggression, it's time to swoop in and spark a conversation. Your child could be having stress.

2. Change in Sleeping patterns

When they start having little to no sleep or they seem like they want to spend more time sleeping, please, talk to them. Stress can cause serious changes in sleeping patterns and all sorts of sleeping disorders. Sometimes the kids have nightmares when under stress. Talk to them and find out what they are afraid of. It could be a bully, exams, or abuse (including sexual abuse). Let them know you understand. 

3. Emotional Changes

If you notice that you child is suddenly quiet, moody, sad, withdrawn or showing signs of worry or fear, It's time to stop what you are doing and talk to your child. So many things happen to them in their day to day lives and you need to keep track of any stressful events that may give your child any kind of stress. 

4. Sickness

Some children become sick when they are under stress. Do not dismiss that headache or that stomach upset. When they are complaining a lot about headaches and tummy aches find out if it's medical first. If it's not medical then find out what emotional problem could be disturbing them. Learn to have a keen ear. Sometimes you will just know as a parent that their ailments are not hospital problems. Be there doctor.

5. Social Behavioral Changes

Another thing that says your child is under stress is social withdrawal. Kids start keeping a little too much to themselves. Locking themselves in their rooms, not come to the dinner table with the rest of the family. Sometimes they stop going out or playing with friends. They become afraid of people and build some kind of wall around them. When you notice this start to happen it's time to talk to your child. Sometime they can do the opposite and become too clingy either to the parents or a teacher or a coach. Know when this is caused by stress by talking to your kids.

6. Eating Habit Disorders

Sometimes stress causes them to develop unhealthy habits. Let's face it, there is no better way out. When you are eating too much or eating too little it's still a problem. Watch out when these problems start to crop up. Sometime this stress could be a medical issue so be careful when handling such situations.

7. Performance Drop

School performance, energetic playing, sports, you name it. There is a general performance drop in everything! You will notice poor grades, complains about going to an activity or a complete stop to a once favorite activity. It's time to become super mum or dad come to the rescue. Let your children know you are their for them and actually ready to offer the support they need.

Final Word

One major mistake we do as parents is dismissing our children’s feelings and hope they get over it. This is wrong. Our children are our responsibility; we have to take care of them. You know how it was as a kid, now these are our children. Stress affects everyone, even children, sadly. And we have to be vigilant with our parenting so that we are able to take care of them when they are under a lot of pressure. Get off that busy schedule and take time to be a good father, a good mother.