Kids going to school today take on quite a bit of responsibility: they have to worry about classwork, homework, school and government exams, mandatory activities, bullying and peer pressure.

We often overlook the stress our children go through, laughing it off in the face of the ‘real’ stress us adults experience. However, a number of kids undergo what’s called ‘school stress.’

Here are 5 ways you can help them deal with it.

Method #1: Create A Calm Stress-Free Atmosphere At Home

Often, the most stressing event in a child’s life happens at home, every day: the chaos of getting ready in the morning. When the entire household is rushed, on edge, and losing their tempers, this has an effect on your sensitive school goer.

Make sure things are a little calmer, by planning ahead. Your child’s stress levels are bound to come down!

Method #2: Talk It Out

Address the situation if you think your child is under stress. The last thing you shouldn’t do is sweep things under the table. If your child is a little older, and doesn’t like listening to you, try to help them come up with solutions of their own.

Method #3: Be Your Kid’s Stress-Reaction Model

Your child’s lessons in dealing with stress aren’t ones you tell them about. They learn mostly from observing you, and how you react to things that cause you stress.

Imagine you’re telling your child to deal calmly with bullies on the car ride to school. If you lose your head and start screaming because someone almost hit your car, you’re setting a bad example. What’s more, your child is likelier to react the way you just acted, and not how you just explained.

Method #4: Get Rid Of Daily Clutter

We now live in a culture where any moment you’re not busy with something is seen as a wasted moment. Catch yourself choking your child’s schedule with school, sports, fun activities, play dates and more?

Reconsider, reschedule, and make sure your child has room to breathe.

Method #5: Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep

Children, just like adults, tend to get irritable when they don’t get enough sleep. Set a healthy bedtime through the week, and make sure the relaxation isn’t too much during weekends and holidays.

It’s a good idea to establish a 30-40 minute bedtime ritual. This will help your child get used to bedtime, and will ensure that they get enough sleep to deal with stress.

Given the way things are for school going children today, school stress is unavoidable. Use these 5 methods to ensure that your child deals well with this.

References:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/19/10-ways-to-help-your-child-handle-school-stress.html

http://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-help-your-child-cope-with-stress/