However, there are many clues that children's bodies provide that indicate when children may be under too much stress. Such clues can include a tight throat, sweaty palms, headaches, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, uneasiness, indigestion, depression, restlessness, frustration, and a change in sleeping patterns. Other possible symptoms include withdrawal, irritability, aggression, excessive daydreaming, excessive sensitivity, changes in eating habits, and general changes in behavior. Parents and children who learn how to recognize these stress signs have taken the first step to combating stress. Parents should take time to prepare their children for potentially stressful situations they might face.
Parents can rehearse how to handle potentially stressful situations with their children.
Avoid overprotecting your children. It is sometimes hard for parents to watch their children deal with stressful situations, since their first instinct is often to protect them from the stresses of life. However, stress is unavoidable in life. Parents will be doing their children a disservice if they always try to protect them from stress. Children learn how to cope with stress only by experiencing it.