The problem is when stress becomes more than you can handle. This can result in body responses such as lack of sleep, restlessness, poor performance of daily activities and ulcers. These are all products of too much stress, and overstress happens to both grown-ups and kids.

Kids have stressful issues to deal with too. Exams, peer pressures, relationship choices and family issues are among some of the key stressors for kids.

So how should kids and parents deal with stress? Read on and take away some essential tips. This article tells you about:

• The symptoms of stress in children
• How you can reduce stressors in your child’s life
• Stress management techniques that both parents and kids can use

[new]
Stress 101
Let’s start with the basics. For both kids and adults, stress has the potential to negatively affect our bodies, minds and feelings.

Symptoms of overstress in kids can include:

• whining
• crying
• sudden behaviour changes
• fighting with family and friends
• poor school performance
• bed wetting
• stomach aches
• changes in eating habits (too much or too little)

These symptoms can indicate ways in which children try to manipulate their parents, so look for behaviours that seem out of the ordinary for your child.

Also keep in mind that stress can appear suddenly, like back-to-school anxiety, or it can appear gradually, like a drop in marks over the span of a school term.

It’s important for parents to do their best to reduce the negative stressors in the lives of their kids. Parents should also show their children the best ways to cope with stress, and teach their children these techniques. (See the last section for more information on effective techniques.)

[new]
What Parents Can Do
Parents, you can decrease the negative stressors in your kids’ lives. Try the following:

• Spend plenty of quality time with your kids.
• Ask lots of questions about school, friends and life in general, and be prepared to listen and show a real interest in their lives.
• Avoid overloading their schedules with too much stuff (activities, lessons, programs, homework).
• Provide a consistent structure for your family’s life: regular supper time, bedtime and so on.
• Teach stress management techniques and demonstrate them yourself. (See next section.)

What Kids Can Do
It’s important that kids learn how to manage their stress levels. Help them learn these effective techniques, which you should also do yourself:

• Identify the source(s) of stress. If you don’t know what’s causing the stress, it’s hard to deal with it.
• Set priorities and plan ahead. For example, begin preparing for back to school a few weeks before instead of waiting until the last minute.
• Take care of your body. Plenty of sleep, plenty of physical activity and good nutrition are effective stress busters.
• Use a support system. Share your feelings with good friends and family. It’s amazing how much better you can feel after simply talking about a problem with a sympathetic listener.
• Take time for yourself. What are you doing that is “all about you?” Everyone needs time to relax and focus on activities and interests that they enjoy.
• Laugh! Lots! This is the body’s natural stress release mechanism.

Stress is natural and necessary for growth, but overstress is not. Be aware of the potential stressors in your kid’s life and take steps to handle and reduce the negative stress.

[new]
Don’t forget, the tips and techniques above help you with your stress levels as well. As a parent, learn these techniques, and don’t let your stress stress your kids out too.

[endpage]
Learn More
Reduce Your Stress
Visit this webpage from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT and Nunavut for definitions of stress and ways to deal with it.

Mental Health for Children and Youth
Check out the many mental health supports offered by the Alberta Mental Health Board. Resources include Grip magazine (written by youth for youth).

Kids Have Stress Too!
This program from the Psychology Foundation of Canada offers information on stress in children and how to deal with it.