Life can be a rollercoaster, especially if you’re a kid! Turns out, stress isn’t just for adults. Kids have their own set of worries to manage. These concerns may surprise you, but they need support just like we do. Let’s dive into what worries them most.
Stress and anxiety don’t discriminate by age. Kids experience these feelings too. Therapists Maria Evans and Ashley Graber highlight the top concerns that make kids worry. They share insights from their book on raising calm kids in a world full of stress. Let’s explore how school, self-consciousness, family issues, future fears, and other concerns impact children.
1. School Stress
School occupies a major part of kids’ lives and can be a big stressor. Kids often feel pressured by academics and tests. Surprisingly, these worries may not stem from parents, but from the school environment or the kids’ own high standards. Many young ones are little perfectionists. Even simple tasks can lead to meltdowns if they don’t meet their standards.
2. Comparison and Self-Consciousness
Peer interactions at school often lead to comparison. Kids naturally compare looks, academic performance, and social status. Social media boosts these worries by displaying curated lives. Such exposure elevates insecurities, as children seek online validation and fear peer rejection.
These insecurities often extend to the home environment. Kids worry they may not be loved or accepted by family if they don’t meet expectations, further heightening their sense of self-doubt and anxiety.
3. Family Discord
A happy home is crucial for a happy child. When family tensions arise, kids might blame themselves, linking arguments to their personal faults.
Children who sense familial tension might withdraw or display increased anxiety. This doesn’t imply every parental disagreement is harmful. Witnessing conflicts and their resolutions can actually be beneficial.
Experiencing healthy conflict resolution teaches children how to handle disagreements constructively. It’s vital for kids to see normal adult interactions, as long as they also see positive outcomes and reassurances.
4. Future Fears
Kids, like adults, worry about the future. Concerns about climate change, natural disasters, and public health can weigh them down.
These topics often pop up in classrooms. While it’s good that children are informed, it’s a lot to take in. Kids are more perceptive than we realize, and such matters can increase their anxiety.
Discussing these fears openly helps kids feel more secure. Parents and educators should address these topics sensitively, providing both information and reassurance.
5. Generalized and Specific Fears
Kids have various fears ranging from the dark to more unusual ones like vomiting. Some, like my daughter, worry about something awful happening to me.
Specific fears can emerge as ‘what if’ scenarios, reflecting deeper concerns about safety. It’s normal for childhood fears to manifest unexpectedly.
Understanding these fears helps parents support their children. By addressing specific worries, we can nurture a sense of security and calmness.
Helping Kids Navigate Worries
It’s natural to worry about how much kids worry, but worry itself is entirely normal for everyone. As the therapists say, “Worry is part of life like happiness or sadness.” We are wired to feel anxiety, designed to keep us safe, and parents should recognize how kids experience these states.
Remember, it’s not about eliminating worry but managing it. Parents can follow the SAFER method to support anxious children. This involves supporting, accepting, feeling, expressing, and reassuring. Calming activities like meditation or safe discussions can provide comfort and help manage anxiety.
A more supportive environment can ease anxiety and stress. Parents must offer a safe space for children, allowing them to express their anxiety without fear. By doing so, they’re equipped to handle future worries more effectively.
Worry is part of growing up, and understanding it as parents helps children develop resilience. With support, they learn to navigate life’s challenges confidently.
