How can I help my child deal with stress?
-
RealAge answered:When you sense that your child is upset about something, mention it and ask him to name the feeling. This will help him learn it’s okay to talk about his feelings and that you’re a source of support. (Hint: Even if he tells you something that makes you very angry, don’t fly off the handle -- it will transmit the exact opposite message.) Offer comfort, and help him come up with solutions for the stressors, whether it’s a tough project at school, not fitting in with friends, getting cut at a sports tryout, or failing a test. Just don’t try to helicopter in and solve all your child’s problems yourself.
When you help build your child’s tolerance for dealing with the ups and downs of life, you help him develop a stronger sense of self and the capacity to face an obstacle, deal with it, learn from it, and move on.
From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, an...
When you sense that your child is upset about something, mention it and ask him to name the feeling. This will help him learn it’s okay to talk about his feelings and that you’re a source of support. (Hint: Even if he tells you something... More
