Life crisis

Like adults, children have to deal with stresses. Adults may think their child’s stresses and issues are not as important as the serious ones that adults regularly face in their day to day lives – but they’re wrong. Children and teenagers experience stress just as adults do, only at their own level.

Having problems with their friends at school is just as stressful for children as it is for adults who are also experiencing conflict with friends or family. In fact, too often kids are have to deal with other adult stresses as well, such as family breakdown, separation of parents, a death of a family member or friend, verbal, physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

So, rhetorically speaking – how do you deal with your stress? Do you
• have a drink after work to relax?
• download and share your day with your spouse or friend?
• exercise, pray and meditate?

So then
• How do your kids deal with their stress?
• What strategies do you as a parent have in place to help them deal with the stresses of each day?
• Are you role modeling the right way?
• Are you taking the time to talk and find out about their day and letting the kids download?
• Are they getting enough exercise, rest, affection and nutrition?

Let’s make sure that as parents we are continually aware that our children experience tough times too. We don’t want our kids to turn into teenagers who turn to drugs and alcohol to deaden their pain. We need to start now teaching our kids appropriate and healthy ways to deal with life.