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April is National Stress Awareness Month

    By Boys Town Contributor

Anxiety, Behavior, Boys Town Parenting, Depression, Family, Harmful Behaviors, Kids and Teens in Crisis

​April marks National Stress Awareness Month, a time when we can reflect on, evaluate and make any adjustments to the stressors in our lives. But stress isn't just for adults—it's affecting our kids too. At Boys Town, we know that children are feeling more stressed than ever, and we're here to help parents navigate their kids through these tricky waters.

From school pressures to social drama and the constant pull of technology, kids are juggling more than ever. While experts are still figuring out all the reasons behind this surge in childhood stress, it's crucial for parents to keep an eye out for signs that their kids might be struggling.

So, what are some of these signs? Well, they can be subtle. For example, maybe your child seems more irritable than usual or is unusually distracted; or maybe they are having trouble sleeping or are not as active as usual; or perhaps they complain of headaches, stomachaches or other illnesses that they normally haven't experienced. These could all be indicators that stress is taking a toll and that it's time to step in and provide some help.

The experts at Boys Town have some helpful tips for parents dealing with stressed-out kids, including:

  • Create a space where your child feels comfortable talking to you about their feelings. Sometimes just knowing they have someone to talk to can make a world of difference.
  • Encourage healthy habits – make sure they are getting enough exercise and sleep and that they are eating well. These simple things can do wonders for successfully managing stress.
  • Don't underestimate the power of relaxation techniques. Teaching your child simple things like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises can give them tools to cope when things get tough.
  • Make sure your child's support network is strong. Whether it's family, friends, school or community resources, knowing they have people they can turn to can provide a huge sense of security.
  • Below are links to more parents content and resources that our Behavioral Health experts recommend that parents can use to help their kids better deal with times of stress.

As we shine a light on stress this month, let's extend our support to our kids too. By working together, we can help them navigate life's ups and downs with confidence and resilience. 


Links to Parenting Resources:

Coping Skills for Children - Build a Coping Skills Toolbox - Boys Town (boystownpediatrics.org) 

Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety (boystownpediatrics.org)

Discussing Difficult Topics with Your Child​

Raising Confident Kids​​

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