Managing your child’s stress
September 27, 2012
Although student parents may describe themselves as feeling stressed out at times, many of us may not think our kids are dealing with stress as well. However, a 2009 study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that many children and teens are more stressed out than their parents think.
The study found that teens and tweens were more likely than parents to say that their stress was increasing. Nearly half (45 percent) those between the ages of 13 and17 said they were becoming more stressed, but only 28 percent of parents think this is the case. Meanwhile, 26 percent of kids between the ages of 8 and 12 said they worry more often, while only 17 percent of parents believed their tween's stress had increased. Similarly, only 2-5 percent of parents rate their child's stress as extreme when 14 percent of tweens and 28 percent of teens say they worry a lot or a great deal.
What types of things cause kids to feel stress? The APA survey found a third of kids worry about their family's financial difficulties. Additionally, 44 percent of kids said that doing well in school stresses them out.
Many youngsters also reported physical symptoms associated with stress such as headaches, difficulty sleeping and changes in appetite.
"It's clear that parents do not fully appreciate the impact that stress is having on their kids," said APA psychologist Dr. Katherine Nordal.
Experts say that teaching youngsters to reduce their stress levels is important to their long-term health and well-being.
Susan Kaiser Greenland, author and creator of the Inner Kids Program, an internationally taught curriculum of meditation for children, recently told Fox News that there are several techniques that are effective in helping kids of all ages relieve stress.
They include meditation, deep breathing exercises, listening to music, visualization techniques, guided imagery and repeating soothing words.
The key is to teach kids these coping mechanisms when they're calm.
"If they learn how to use these tools when they're already relaxed, they'll be better able to pull them out and implement them effectively when they're stressed," Greenland told the news provider.
Experts say these relaxation techniques are also good for adults, especially those juggling the demands of raising a family and pursuing a college degree. Other ways to reduce stress include exercise, delegating duties, eating healthy and getting adequate sleep.
One thing that shouldn't cause student parents stress is paying for their education. A variety of grants for parents, scholarships for mothers and other financial aid make it easier than ever for many to fulfill their dream of becoming college graduates.
