Kids Experience Stress Too

How often do we look at our kids and think to ourselves, or even speak the words out loud, "You have it so easy, kid!" We look at these miniature humans and assume that they experience little to no daily stress because all they do all day is run around and play. Although they aren't dealing with the same sort of stressors that we as adults are it doesn't mean that they don't feel equally concerned or stressed about whatever issues they are faced with. We might feel stressed about paying the bills or our relationships, while they're feeling stressed about trying out for a sports team, being bullied or what outfit to wear to school.

What is worse is that we often take our stress out on our kids without even realizing it. How many times have you completely overreacted to your child spilling their cereal or tripping over their untied shoe laces? Our stress rubs off on our kids and affects their day just as much as ours. Make sure you let your kids know when you're having a bad day, so they don't take it personally. A simple, "I'm sorry I'm so grumpy. I'm having a bad day", can go a long way with a child's interpretation of your mood.

Try not to belittle their stress or reactions. When they have a complete and total melt down over a friend not playing with them at recess, hear them out. Talk to them about it. Make sure that they know you care and that you're there to listen. Their stress, although sometimes seemingly over the top, is as important to them as bigger issues are to us. Try and remember what it felt like to be a kid and how traumatic even the smallest issues felt.

If your child's mood or behaviour has taken a sudden turn for the worse, really sit back and consider the whole picture. Even the smallest change in their routine can cause stress in their lives. Did a parent's work schedule change? Have you been too busy for story time? No change is too small to upset a child. We are less likely to be stumped by their reactions when the change is more significant, like a new baby in the family, parents separating or moving. We forget how big the little things are to a child.

No one is perfect...most certainly not me, but we can do things to decrease the level of stress in our kid's lives. They will have much bigger issues to face as they get older, so lets not burden them by taking out our stress on them. Give them a break. They have enough to deal with already.