Children and Stress

• Define stress for a child

• Facts

• Not seeing eye to eye

• What are the signs?

• What triggers stress for your child?

Objectives•Behaviors for parents to avoid

•Strategies to combat stress

•Important how to’s

•Best practices

•Resources

Define Stress

• Stress is any uncomfortable “emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes.”

• Some stress can be positive in that it provides the energy to tackle a big test, presentation, or sports event. Too much stress, however, can create unnecessary hardship and challenge.

Facts

• Teens and tweens are more likely than their parents to say their stress has increased in the last year

• 45% of teens 13-17 said they were worried more• 28% of parents think their teens stress increased• 2-5% of parents rate their child’s stress as “extreme”• 14% of tweens and 28% of teens say they worry “a lot” or “a great

deal”

Tweens & Teens Cite Parents think…

• 30 & 42% get headaches• 39% & 49% difficulty sleeping• 27% & 39% eat too much or too

little

• 13% of teens get headaches• 13% of teens difficulty sleeping• 8% of teens report eating too

much or too little

Not Seeing Eye to Eye

What are the warning signs?

• Getting headaches• Difficulty sleeping• Change in eating habits• Very social or very withdrawn• Non-characteristic behavior• Complaints of not feeling well• Low self-esteem• Fear of failure• Loss of concentration

• Easily embarrassed• Overly worried• Obsessive• Forgetfulness• Ticks• Crying too easily• Acting out• Startling too easily• Laughing nervously

More Warning Signs…• Grinding teeth• Smoking• Drug and/or alcohol use• Accident prone• Sweaty hands• Heart racing• Dryness of throat• Overtired• Urinating frequently

• Butterflies• Headaches• Back/Neck aches• PMS• Acne (Increases during test

time)• Loss or gain of appetite• Rudeness

What Triggers Stress For Your Child?• Changes in family situation• Arguing • Interpersonal conflicts• Exposure to violence• Experiencing bullying• Loss of pet• Excessive expectations for accomplishment in school or sports or

other activities

Behaviors for Parents to Avoid

• Too many activities• Unnecessary competition/between friends and siblings• Trying to eliminate any adversity for them • Being overprotective • Helicopter parenting

Strategies to Combat Stress• Watch school demands• Be aware of changes with their bodies• Teach:

– assertiveness– time-management– set limits/priorities– communication skills

• Promote friends/Support group

• Take breaks

• Provide reassurance

Important How To’s

• Cooking• Writing• Drawing• Music• Pets• Exercise• Bath• Cleaning/Organizing

Key Points For Parents

You can’t have too much:• Compassion• Laughter• Empathy

• Down-time• Integrity• Reality

• Patience

• Allow frustration (to a point)• Respect• Dress up• Commitment• Some silliness

Best Practices

• Be aware of changes in behavior

• Know their friends• Listen & translate• Get support• Educate yourself

Family timeFun!HonestyTake care of yourself first -

Be a Role-Model health/weight/exercise important relationships finances spirituality

Resources

• WorkLife4You and your EAP• American Psychological Association• www.apahelpcenter.org• www.yourmindyourbody.org

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