How do you know if your child is stressed?

It is not always easy for a parent to tell when a child is experiencing intense stress.There are some changes in a child's behavior due to the stress they feel every day and which changes, if the parent notices them, they can indicate that something is happening and needs investigation.

Which signs can make a parent suspicious?

• The ups and downs of his mood
• It is melancholic or unusually hyperactive.
• Sudden and intense mobility and aggression.
• Changes in sleep patterns and times.
• Cannot sleep at night, has insomnia or often has nightmares.
• The "wetting" of his bed.
• Does not eat properly and has signs of anorexia.
• Fights with other children and gets annoyed easily.
• Bites his nails or stutters.
• Is constantly closed to himself and bored.
• Has frequent headaches or stomach pains or even gets sick more often than usual.
• Has difficulty concentrating on his lessons or completing his homework.
• Doesn't seek company.

Younger children react to stress by sucking their thumb, playing with their hair, or scratching their nose. Others may begin to lie, behave disobediently, or oppose parental authority.

Help your child!

The best way to help your child cope with stress is to first create the necessary conditions for a strong and healthy body.

Adequate rest and good nutrition will strengthen the child's natural defenses in dealing with stress. Equally important is the proper behavior, communication and engagement of the parent with the child.

Learn to spend time with your child on a daily basis. When you realize that he wants to talk to you, or just wants to be in the same place as you, don't miss the opportunity to show him that you are available. At any age, no matter how old your child is, the quality of time you spend with him is very important for both the child and his relationship with you.

It is certainly difficult for many of you parents to return home from work, sit on the floor and play with your child, or just talk to him. But you should know that it is very important for your child to spend even a little time with him every day, to show him with all the means at your disposal (eg play, painting, discussion) that the same is very important to you.

What can you do:

Help your child cope with stress by discussing with them the reasons that may be causing it.

From your discussion, some new ideas and solutions may emerge. You can create similar opportunities by spending more time discussing with other parents or with the child's teachers.

You can make a physical exercise plan with the child, or keep a diary to record events that occur in the child's daily life.

You can also help your child by informing him and preparing the ground for situations that may cause him anxiety. For example, make sure your child knows about the appointment with the doctor, and talk to him or her about what is going to happen there.

Remember that it is normal to feel anxious. Tell your child that it's perfectly normal to feel lonely, scared, or angry at times. It's good to hear from you that other people would feel the same way if they were in their own place.

It is certain that most of you as parents have the necessary skills to handle your child's stress with prudence and interest.

However, you will need the help of a specialist when you notice that a change in your child's behavior persists for a long time, or when you find it difficult to deal with the problem yourself, even though you have tried repeatedly.