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- Build trust with your child
- Be available and open to talk when your child is ready. If family circumstances are contributing to the stress, be willing to answer questions honestly and calmly.
- Encourage the expression of feelings
- Teach and model good emotional responses
- Encourage your child to tell you if he/she feels overwhelmed
- Encourage healthy and diverse friendships
- Encourage physical activity, good nutrition, and rest
- Teach your child to problem solve
- Keep your child aware of anticipated family changes in an age-appropriate way
- Do not hide the truth from your child. Children sense parents’ worry and the unknown can be scarier than the truth. Avoid unnecessary discussions in front of your child of event/circumstances that might increase his/her stress.
- Have your child have a part in decision-making when appropriate.
- Remind your child of his/her ability to get through tough times, particularly with the love and support of family and friends.
- Monitor television programs that could worry your child and pay attention to the use of social media, computer games, movies, and the Internet
- Use encouragement and natural consequences when poor decisions are made.
- Help your child select appropriate extracurricular activities and limit overscheduling.
- Make you child aware of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol before experimentation begins.
- Monitor you own stress level. Take care of yourself.
- Contact your child’s teacher, Guidance Counselor, or School Psychologist and collaborate with them as a team to assist your child.
- Seek the assistance of their physician, an outside therapist/counselor, psychologist/psychiatrist and/or other medical and therapeutic personnel if needed.
- Please refer to the NASP website @ http:www.nasponline.org/familes for further information.
*This information was derived from a handout entitled, “Stress in Children; Strategies for Parents and Educators,” by Ellis P. Copeland in Helping Children at Home and School II: Handouts for Familes and Educators, NASP 2004.
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