Dealing with the complexities of life, often we feel like going back to our childhood days where there was no fear, no anxiousness, no bills to pay, or deadlines to meet. While the memory of our childhood days might seem like one devoid of any stress, facts state otherwise for our kids.

Given the competitive world we are currently living in, kids too, face stress, often in silence. Why we call it a silent suffering is because stress is a word too big for them to understand. They don't realize what stress is but they are still getting affected by it. They can get stressed because of many things, right from school assignments to peer pressure or the environment at home. If not attended on time, the stress will make them lose their focus and affect their confidence levels. The supressed stress might later on in their adult life lead to many other personality problems. It can destroy the child from within, leaving him in a shell of negativity. 

How to know if your child is stressed? 

Parents are always caught in this dilemma where they don't know the way of figuring out whether their child is stressed or not. The possibilities of finding it out may sound quite difficult, but if paid a little attention on certain key aspects, you can get to the root of it. You can know if your child is facing any kind of stress by looking for the following signs:

1. Too much of negative behavior: Children, may find it hard to identify when they are being stressed. To them, stress can reveal itself via behavioral changes. Some of the common changes are irritable behavior, being moody, keeping away from activities they liked earlier, complaining about each and every matter, sleeping very less or more than required, avoiding friends, crying, displaying fearful reactions, or being hostile to the family members.

2. Poor health: Stress in kids can even appear in the form of poor health. If you notice physical symptoms like stomach aches, fatigue, and headaches constantly despite giving the needed medicine, it's high time to realize your child is under severe stress.  

3. Academic downfall: This is one major sign to notice if the child is experiencing any sort of stress. Despite being a rank holder, if your child suddenly drops on the academic part and scores very less in the subjects he was earlier having a good hold on, the problem is surely a big one to consider. 

4. Other changes to note: Apart from the major changes to look for, you should also see if your child is keeping himself in seclusion. If he avoids family time, sits alone, sulks or shows any sort of eating disorder; he certainly is undergoing major stress problems.   

How Can You Help As A Parent

Kids definitely have no idea as to what stress is all about, leave aside the idea of them finding out any solution to that. Ultimately, it's the duty of the parents to bring them out of the stressed situation and teach them the ways to deal with it. You can't do away with stress, but there are ways to tackle it without getting affected. So here, check out what all you as a parent can do to make your child cope with stress:

1. Monitor your own stress level: Very importantly, you must monitor your own stress levels. Your behavior is sure to affect your child's attitude and his outlook towards life. So, just see to it, whether or not you are presenting a bad picture of your life before your child. When with kids, try and be stress free. Don't bring the office matters to home or sit gloomily; be cheerful as this will help you also to get rid of the stress. 

2. Keep a friendly & positive atmosphere: Your child will feel free to talk to you only when you give him such an environment. Setting rules and principles to discipline the kid is very important. But while doing so, make sure that you don't instill any sort of fear in him. Be friendly and warm towards the child so that he can always look up to you at time of distress. Similarly, the atmosphere in the house shouldn't be gloomy. Your kids must not be made to witness any heated argument that might at times take place between you and your partner.

3. Take time to talk: Undoubtedly, you have a lot on your plate. But taking out some time for your little one is also very important. No matter how busy you are, make it a point to spend some time with your child every day. Fix a time and try to give all your attention to the kid. Listen to what he has to say, understand if he has any problem. Give your advice whenever needed, but most of the time, just relax and do a bit of listening.

4. Don't burden them: Too much of expectations also tend to affect a child's mental peace. You must understand that nobody is perfect and that everyone has his or her share of fears and failures. One must accept them as they are. Teach the same to your kids also. Tell them scoring the highest marks among all is not important, but putting in the honest efforts certainly is. And when they do it with a joyful and genuine mind, success is bound to come.

Activities to Overcome Stress

• Laughter is the best cure. Make your child watch some comedy movies, a fun cartoon, video or anything that can trigger laughter. Laughing relaxes the mind and suppresses the stress hormones.
• Indulge your child in some outdoor games rather than making him play a computer game or video game. The air outside will refresh his mind and make him feel rejuvenated. It would be great if you can also join him in the fun.
• Gardening is one activity that can help mind get rid of gloomy thoughts. Do some gardening with your child, help him plant a new sapling or water the existing ones. It will surely be a great fun.
• Music too can be the best treatment. Listen to some good music numbers or if your child is fond of singing, let him sing to his delight. Playing a musical instrument can also provide the relief.

Help your child indulge in any activity that interests him, be it writing, reading, drawing or any other. Just let him spend some time free from his daily routine and you will surely notice the good change!!