4 Ways to Stop Stressing Out Your Kids

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I know this applies to myself. I think our kids get just as stressed as we do, we're just so busy with "grown up" worries that we don't we realize our kids have stress too. Just like when they were little, and they could feel your mood, I think this article let me know that they can feel that they can carry our stress at any age. Learn something new every day! :)

Melissa of LA 9:52AM May 22, 2011

my.name is kendale williams i am a single parnet raising 12yr old twin girls you helped me in a big why just reading what you wrote help me understand what was happening with my girls, they are stressed out ,the fuss so much because they look just a like one twin always tell her sister we are two different people we dont have to have the same things or eat the same foods but we will always live together 4ever.so now i will let them decide what they need for themselves.an instend of one day a week going out as a family ,i will try to make it twice a week,it will make them happier and make me happy as well thank you

kendale williams of LA 9:46AM March 04, 2010

he doesn't need to know his dad.. if he never has don't use that as an excuse... "that" is not a factor. He does however "NEED" you... you are his everything. God gave YOU to him. What are doing for God to say thank you. How are you raising him? That's not pressure that's a blessing. I am a single mom and I see some rituals that I love doing with my son that HE loves and all my family and neighbors think Wow I do "all this"... a 2 yr.sister can join in. -Plan on sunday morning the next weeks dinner/breakfst/lunch menuthat way it's not a focus during the week. Take out meat night before. You'll free up time to spend with him. Have him cook with you. Ask him to make the menu for the week. -Goto church- no matter how boring it is...go to another church until you find one that's "awakening". Don't expect a good attitude on this for months :) Later in life he'll "see" because he'll "feel". (I'm not a bible banger- I do think a child needs to know if mom is busy God is always there to say that quick prayer to for the day...then goto the grocery store and buy food for the week.-Wake up a tad earlier and make him toast/juice before he goes to school. (or work)-Take out Phase 1 or UNO and play every day for 20 min's/1/2 hour (my sons 5 we do legos) I literally sit down with him each night. Just spend time with your son. (daughter can sit on your lap and learn her colors)- but don't pay too much attention to her just enough to keep her entertained - this is about you and your son getting time. (he takes a scooter, he "has" everything... but he "needs" none of it. all he needs is YOU. - depending on where you live... take him skiing, to the beach with a picnic basket and hot dogs. Get to the basics... Living. You'll enjoy it to. If you have to sell the video games. they are not healthy anyway. Tell him you love him everyday. He maybe 17 but you can still tuck him in

of 10:24PM March 03, 2010

Not sure what to do....My oldest daughter is almost 8......a few years ago, her father and I split up for 5 months......during this time I regretfully did not spend much time with my children.....I was depressed and turned to alcohol for comfort.....(I did not become an alcoholic, just went to friends and partied every weekend instead of spending it with my kids) Her father and I reconciled, and have been back together now for well over a year.......thing is she has major attitude issues......it seems like she purposely does stuff to irritate me, and push buttons, to the point where I yell....and I don't want to yell at her....I love my baby very much!!!!!!!! I don't know if it is emotional scaring and she may have depression issues, or other things on her mind, not sure if I should have her see a doctor or not to talk about her issues.......she can be the sweetest girl one minute and a major attitude lash out the next.....I have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, and I am not sure if maybe she has a touch of it too.

Judy of PA 9:52PM March 03, 2010

TO CONFUSED MOM: PLACE YOURSELF IN YOUR SON'S HEAD.
YOU MET AND MARRIED A MAN, UPROOTED HIM TO A ANOTHER
COUNTRY,AND HAD AN INFANT. THIS IS A LOT TO INGEST FOR
ANYONE LET ALONE A PRETEEN. HE MAY MISS HOME WHERE-
EVER THAT WAS.YOUR HUSBAND IS YOUR DAUGHTER'S FATHER
NOT HIS. EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY FEEL YOUR MAN'S YOUR SAVING
GRACE PAY ATTENTION TO HOW HE TREATS YOUR
SON. YOU MENTION TOYS AND GAMES YOUR SON HAS,BUT IS HE
REMINDED OF OF WHO PURCHASED THEM? I NOTICED YOU DIDN'T SAY
THAT YOU HAD A JOB OUTSIDE THE HOME AND YOU LIVED WITH
YOUR PARENTS TIL YOU JUST MARRIED. YOUR SON MAY BE STRESSED
AT THE FACT YOU AND HE ARE FARAWAY AND SEEMINGLY DEPENDENT
ON THIS MAN. CHILDREN KNOW FAR MORE THAN THEY MENTION.
TALK TO YOUR SON AND REALLY LISTEN.

SHEY of TX 8:58PM March 03, 2010

Being a parent , especially a single parent has got to be the toughest job in the world!! I've served 4 years in the military and I'm currently a correction officer and none of those jobs compare to be a mom.
I worry everyday about my son who will be 17 in 2 weeks ... I KNOW that I'm the cause of a lot of his stress and it kills me. He's doing ok in school but something is wrong and he won't open up to me about it. I read his IM's and he has talked with friends about being depressed over a girl and how he can't wait to go off to college to get away from me..... I'm trying my best to be a "good" parent but I'on know ... I think we both need to start going to counseling.

wintermoon67 of NY 8:54PM March 03, 2010

I have a soon-to-be teen. He's been doing things that he's never done before. For ex:taking a $15 scooter from someone's yard. My son has everything you could think of. He has a 42" tv w/surround sound/dvd/xbox 360 elite/xbox/playstation 2 & 3/Wii/ipod (his 2nd one)/ds/gameboy/stereo/razor scooter/ribstick/4 skateboards, ramp, and the list goes on. Anyway, I was a single parent for 8 yrs. He's never met his dad nor does he want to. We lived with my parents until I got married. Now, my son has 3 F's in school. Never have I've been told to get him screened for AD/HD until now. Suggestions? I strongly believe that he needs me. I know I put house cleaning and many other things before quality time with my son. And my 2 yr old daughter, takes up a lot of my time. Is it jealousy? I mean, he loves his sister very much and they're always playing. I can't stress to him how much I love him and how much I care for him and how I want the best for him. I'm worried. I don't want anything to happen to him. Could it be that he needs attention from me? His stepdad is always working and when he does get home, it's like he's not even there. He goes crazy with my 2 yr old and talks to my son but you can see the difference. So, is it my attention that he needs, jealousy towards his sis, AD/HD, stress, or Depression? We're a military family and we are living in another country. Our families are stateside.
To JUST A THOT, I'm going to talk to my son about what I read in your comment. I think that is helpful. Thanks!

Proud mom of 2 7:51PM March 03, 2010

This article is an eye opener. I don't want to be the cause of my kids' stress...Thanks

Jaky Gutierrez 7:46PM March 03, 2010

If you feel you parents are too busy, I might have suggestion. Leave them a not where they are most likely to find it and tell them When you can I need to talk to you about something. And tell them you love them. Then seperately make a list of things that are bothering you and you want to talk to them about and hold on to it so you have it all down when they come talk to you. If you need to talk to someone about things its ok to talk to a counselor or a friends mom or dad, they might be able to provide some help that way. And you Don't have to do everything, I promise, I went thru that feeling. If a note doesn't work send them a text message or an email. I dunno just a thought. Hope it helps.

gina of TX 4:21PM March 03, 2010

Hi, Kelly -- have you talked to your parents about feeling sad? The age you're at is tough and your hormones are changing too which can affect your moods. Maybe you can suggest to them that you have family time before bed, or whenever it fits into everyone's day so you can talk? You definitely need to bring it up to your parents in a positive way (not like you are trying to make them feel guilty or make them feel like bad parents). I think most families are so busy these days it's hard to find the time, but it's important and needs to happen. Good luck!

Sharon of PA 4:20PM March 03, 2010