How to recognize stress in our children? Can you tell when your kids are stressed?

When does ordinary stress become too much stress or anxiety? There are a variety of reasons why children feel stress. Death of a loved one or it could be someone they didn’t even know, divorce, remarriage, moving, abuse, world crisis; such as wars, family or community violence, natural disasters and cultural conflicts can increase stress.

How about the fear of failure, given the increased pressure of standards tests? However, it is not always obvious when children feel overloaded. Children often have a hard time describing exactly how they feel. Instead of saying “I feel stressed,” they can say “My stomach hurts.” My son’s stomach hurts every time there is an activity that makes him restless. Some children may cry, become aggressive, talk back, or become irritable. Others may behave well but become nervous, fearful, or panic.

Stress can affect a child’s physical health. Asthma, hay fever, migraine and gastrointestinal illnesses can be triggered by stressful situations.

What can parents do? The most important thing is to start by monitoring your own stress levels. The frequent conflicts in our lives are unsettling for our children. Keep the lines of communication open: Children feel better about themselves when they have a good relationship with their parents. Encourage friendships: Children who do not have close friends are at risk of developing stress. Schedule playdates, sleepovers, and other fun activities. Keep your child’s temperament in mind when scheduling daily activities—you know your child best.

Most importantly, children of all ages need time to relax and play.