How to Help a Child Deal With Family Stress

Many issues in life can create family stress, including divorce, illness and financial problems. According to the Florida Department of Children's Services, toxic stress can negatively impact a child's brain development. Recognizing the signs of family stress and knowing how to help a child cope may help reduce the impact it has on the child.

Instructions

    • 1

      Invite children to talk. A child should be encouraged to explain his feelings and what emotions he experienced as a result of the stress. For example, if a parent is seriously ill, the child may feel frightened or angry. Encourage him to discuss these feelings and offer reassurance that no matter what happens, there will be an adult to take care of him. According to an article published on the Kids Health website, it is important to help children label how situations cause them to feel. One way to do this is to bring it up first. For example, "It seems like you are still mad that dad had to cancel our family vacation this year, do you want to talk about it?" This lets the child know his feelings are important to you and you are interested in hearing about them.

    • 2

      Maintain a consistent schedule. Children should be well rested and eat nutritious food. Put them to bed at the same time seven nights a week, and make sure they have healthy, nutritious snacks available. Also make sure they get plenty of exercise by playing outside when possible.

    • 3

      Let children help decide the solution. A brainstorming session starts this process, but it is important to have the children actively participate, according to Kids Health. Ask the children to name things that would help them feel better and discuss the options. For example, if money is tight and the child cannot attend summer camp, ask her what activities that can be done at home will be fun and what friends she would like to invite. She chooses the activities and friends, and begins to feel she has some control over the situation.

    • 4

      Use nonverbal alternatives to communicating. Some children are not comfortable sitting down and discussing their concerns, when it comes to family stress. Taking a bike ride, going for a walk or just playing a game of catch in the yard together, all may open the gate for him to verbalize his feelings. Even if he still doesn't talk about how he feels, by just being there for him and spending time with him, you have reminded him that he is not alone.

    • 5

      Teach the children to problem-solve. The natural instinct is to jump in and fix things; however, showing children how to problem-solve gives them a valuable life skill. For younger children, suggestions or prompts may be needed. For older children, encourage them to develop solutions and discuss them with an adult to be sure they are appropriate.

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