Stress is real - let’s learn to deal with it!
- Ava S
- Dec 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Ava S
University of Oxford - BA in modern history
Many adults and parents may be tempted to see childhood as a time that is entirely happy and free of external pressures. However, in our modern era, this simply is no longer true. School, friendships and even relationships can mean that childhood and the teenage years can bring stress to children, particularly through tough exam periods. However, as a parent, there are many ways in which you can support your child through these processes. It is, however, important to ensure that these mechanisms for dealing with stress are adopted in a healthy fashion. This article will help you to see which coping mechanisms you can teach your child to help them through the stresses they may encounter in a healthy way!
Be a good role model when dealing with stress: Without putting your own stresses onto your young children, you can discuss coping mechanisms you adopt when you are stressed yourself. You can talk openly about normalising stress and how you would go about dealing with these stresses. You may want to encourage them to buy a journal and begin journalling about what they are finding stressful and help them find ways to adapt to these stresses. As your brain is flexible, it can grow, and it is important to teach your child how to tackle stress through coping mechanisms such as resilience. You as a parent can encourage growth by praising your child for facing challenges. For example, encouraging the use of words just as ‘yet’ in front of negative comments about themselves can encourage the development of the growth mindset.
Allow them to have fun & sleep properly: Sleep is important both for encouraging brain development and social skills. Allowing your child to sleep effectively in a quiet space will aid them with this. You may want to put on relaxing music, keep the room free from bright lights and electronic devices in order to maximise their quality of sleep.
Don’t project your own stresses: Stress can carry around the family and easily transfer onto children, especially your own stresses. Additionally, children often operate from an egocentric world-view, in which they will internalise many of the stresses & behaviours of those around them. It is, therefore, important not to project your stresses onto your children when they are unaware of the causes themselves.
Keep plenty of space for your child to relax and unwind: One of the main sources of stresses within children is simply being too busy. It may be tempting to schedule your children many activities within one day to help them develop multiple new skills but this may actually be causing your child unnecessary stresses. Reflect on your child’s schedule and talk with them to see if you can minimize any unecessary activities.
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