Stress in Children

Dealing with stress in children requires some finesse on the part of the parent or caregiver. Often, children may experience symptoms of stress but not understand what or why they are feeling the way they do. Also, with a very young child, traditional relaxation techniques that work for adults may not be easy enough for that child to implement. Children possess an innate ability to visualize and use their imaginations. These are great tools that can be effective in helping them relieve stress. I have found that storytelling is very effective in helping children deal with many issues they may be experiencing because they can visualize the story and use their imagination to relate the story to themselves. It is an indirect way of pointing out to the child his or her own struggles without putting too much pressure on the child. Sometimes, when parents try to sit down and have a "serious" conversation with children, it only stresses the child out more out of a sense of being scrutinized or reprimanded. Telling a story the child can relate to is a better way of addressing stress.

What you'll find in this section on stress in children are different stories designed specifically for helping children ages 2-10 years old deal with stress. The stories tackle various dilemmas and are solution-focused. Caregivers should ask the child to close his or her eyes while the story is read to them and asked to imagine the characters and places described in the story. Once the story is finished, this is a good opportunity for caregivers to talk about what happened in the story with their child and help the child problem solve relevant issues that might be going on.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."

~ Albert Einstein

No one is immune to stress. We all carry the burden of some form of stress. Unfortunately, children may not be able to fully communicate what's troubling them, or even understand it. We are living in stressful times. Parents who hold jobs outside the home are wondering how much longer they'll be employed. The problem: children share in their parents' stress in addition to their own personal growing pains.

Stress in children can take on many forms. Some may be dealing with separation anxiety when her parents leave for work. Some may be seeing more of their parents due to job loss. Some may be having trouble going off to school for the first time (another form of separation anxiety.) Bullying, learning disabilities, poor marriages, lofty parental expectations, lack of attention, and fear of the dark/bedtime are some causes of stress in children.

I feel this is an issue which requires the efforts of all: parents, children, professionals and yes, the insight of outsiders. Though I am not a parent, I was once a child and certainly have my own retrospective. Stress in children is real. When a child speaks, listen. In addition, we all need to be mindful of our words and behavior in the presence of children. They see and hear more than we think.

I feel I have spent too much of my life being afraid. I wasted a great deal of precious time (some alone, some in the presence of loved ones) being afraid. In hindsight, I wish I had been able to better communicate my stress as a child.

I've begun a series of children's short stories which I hope will facilitate communication between parents and children. I also hope these stories teach children to confront and overcome their fears sooner rather than later in life. I believe that for every problem there is a solution. I know from personal experience that "small" childhood issues can grow up into adult problems. I also know that it feels great to overcome fear. Join me in the next installment as I introduce parents, children and children at heart to the enchanted world of Captain Nesty Von Resty!

Fasten your seatbelts…

- Ted Stefanski

Story 1: An Introduction to Children and Stress Bedtime Stories

Story 2: William and the Magical Nautilus (Fear of Sharks and Overcoming Challenges)

Story 3: Abigail's "Sheepless" Night (Trouble Falling Asleep)

Story 4: The Last Jar of Jam (Helping with Children and Grief)

Know More About: Coping with Stress

Know More About: Living with Stress (A Personal Story)

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Subscribe To This Site Home The Blogs Know Stress Blog Hypnosis Blog Insight Hypnotherapy Etsy Hypnosis Shop Know Stress About Stress Coping with Stress Relax! Relaxation Tools MBSR Hypnosis Hypnosis for Stress Hypno Downloads Hypno Scripts Weight Loss & Health Weight Loss Healthy Recipes Smoking Cessation Tools Smoking Cessation Sleep well Insomnia Feel Good Stuff Feel Good Stories Fishing and Stress Relief Relationships Get My Ex Back? Money & Work Think Rich Work & Business Stress Stress on the Body Headaches Authenticity Authentic Self Kids' Stuff Stress in Children A Personal Story Ted's Story About Me & Contact About Us Contact Me	Stress in Children Dealing with stress in children requires some finesse on the part of the parent or caregiver. Often, children may experience symptoms of stress but not understand what or why they are feeling the way they do. Also, with a very young child, traditional relaxation techniques that work for adults may not be easy enough for that child to implement. Children possess an innate ability to visualize and use their imaginations. These are great tools that can be effective in helping them relieve stress. I have found that storytelling is very effective in helping children deal with many issues they may be experiencing because they can visualize the story and use their imagination to relate the story to themselves. It is an indirect way of pointing out to the child his or her own struggles without putting too much pressure on the child. Sometimes, when parents try to sit down and have a "serious" conversation with children, it only stresses the child out more out of a sense of being scrutinized or reprimanded. Telling a story the child can relate to is a better way of addressing stress. What you'll find in this section on stress in children are different stories designed specifically for helping children ages 2-10 years old deal with stress. The stories tackle various dilemmas and are solution-focused. Caregivers should ask the child to close his or her eyes while the story is read to them and asked to imagine the characters and places described in the story. Once the story is finished, this is a good opportunity for caregivers to talk about what happened in the story with their child and help the child problem solve relevant issues that might be going on. "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." ~ Albert Einstein No one is immune to stress. We all carry the burden of some form of stress. Unfortunately, children may not be able to fully communicate what's troubling them, or even understand it. We are living in stressful times. Parents who hold jobs outside the home are wondering how much longer they'll be employed. The problem: children share in their parents' stress in addition to their own personal growing pains. Stress in children can take on many forms. Some may be dealing with separation anxiety when her parents leave for work. Some may be seeing more of their parents due to job loss. Some may be having trouble going off to school for the first time (another form of separation anxiety.) Bullying, learning disabilities, poor marriages, lofty parental expectations, lack of attention, and fear of the dark/bedtime are some causes of stress in children. I feel this is an issue which requires the efforts of all: parents, children, professionals and yes, the insight of outsiders. Though I am not a parent, I was once a child and certainly have my own retrospective. Stress in children is real. When a child speaks, listen. In addition, we all need to be mindful of our words and behavior in the presence of children. They see and hear more than we think. I feel I have spent too much of my life being afraid. I wasted a great deal of precious time (some alone, some in the presence of loved ones) being afraid. In hindsight, I wish I had been able to better communicate my stress as a child. I've begun a series of children's short stories which I hope will facilitate communication between parents and children. I also hope these stories teach children to confront and overcome their fears sooner rather than later in life. I believe that for every problem there is a solution. I know from personal experience that "small" childhood issues can grow up into adult problems. I also know that it feels great to overcome fear. Join me in the next installment as I introduce parents, children and children at heart to the enchanted world of Captain Nesty Von Resty! Fasten your seatbelts… - Ted Stefanski Story 1: An Introduction to Children and Stress Bedtime Stories Story 2: William and the Magical Nautilus (Fear of Sharks and Overcoming Challenges) Story 3: Abigail's "Sheepless" Night (Trouble Falling Asleep) Story 4: The Last Jar of Jam (Helping with Children and Grief) Know More About: Coping with Stress Know More About: Living with Stress (A Personal Story) Return from Stress in Children to Stress Relief Homepage Copyright 2013 Know-Stress-Zone.com This site is intended for personal education only. SBI!	Stress Relief Resources Hypnosis Training DVD (Triple DVD) A hypnosis workshop in your own home! Self Confidence Trainer (Double CD) The Self Confidence Trainer leads you step-by-step towards greater confidence and self esteem. Panic Attacks Program (CD or tape) Stop panic attacks with this unique program. Insomnia Cure (Double CD) Cure insomnia for good with this double CD program. 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