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According to a new American Psychological Association (APA) study of more than 2,000 children and adults, 90 percent of kids say they know when their parents are stressed because they see them arguing and complaining, or because their parents won’t spend time with them.
As a result, many of the kids reported they felt sad, worried, and frustrated. In fact, nearly a third of them complained of stress-related headaches or stomachaches. Yet the survey reports that nearly 70 percent of parents say their own anxiety barely affects their children.
Given today’s economic instability, along with other pressures, how can parents address the effects of their stress on their children?
Acknowledge it
Don’t underestimate how tension influences kids. Sue Schellenbarger, the Wall Street Journal’s Work and Family columnist says she was “surprised to learn that my children knew I was stressed-out, even during times I thought I was doing a good job of protecting them from it.”
Watch yourself
Simon Crabb, a dad who blogs about kids and stress, says “You have to check how you react when you feel anxious. Your kids get these negative vibes from you, and it puts pressure on them. Anxiety is contagious.” In addition to making them nervous, you might be setting long-term behavioral patterns in motion that could harm their health, even putting them at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression, says the APA.
Teach your kids
They’ll model what you do, so manage your stress by using healthy activities, such as listening to music or exercising, practicing EFT or Mindfulness to calm your nerves. Even something as mild as blowing bubbles can teach little kids how to take long, deep breaths, a technique that will likely come in handy later. (All of this, of course, is predicated on the idea that you are making an effort to deal creatively with your own nervous tension.)
And play!
Psychiatrist Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play in Carmel Valley, California, said in USA Today that “play is particularly important” for stressed-out parents today, who should find a way to have fun whenever they have a chance. Explore an activity that you and your kids both really love—other than a sedentary one (TV, video games and the Internet don’t count!)—and make a point to work it into your schedule. Your nervous system (and your kids) will thank you.
Sources: APA, USA Today, wsj.com, rd.com