It was just before 5 am. My wife Jenny and I watched our eight-year-old shuffle down our hallway, check the time on the dining room clock, and then sleepily shuffle back to her room for the third time that morning. The rapid shuffling of her tiny feet and her laser-like focus on the kitchen clock were cute the first time. However, by her third trip down the hallway, Jenny and I were concerned. This is not a happy, healthy pattern for our kiddo to get into, we thought to ourselves.
The two of us talked about how our girls were continually asking, “What time is it?” Although they were learning about time in school, and this question is age-appropriate, they were also asking a lot! Jenny and I knew that our hectic schedule had much to do with this. It felt like our family was always on the go. We soon realized that our kids were asking about the time so often because they did not want to be late for anything. Watching our daughter scurry back and forth confirmed what Jenny and I feared–our kids were, indeed, feeling the stress of their hectic scheduled. That morning became a starting point for some healthy changes in our family.
Stress and Kids
Stress is cumulative. It sneakily builds up over time. When stress is not managed well, our kids feel its impact. How do I know this? Unfortunately, this question is all too easy to answer. Like most adults, I have experienced the crazy-making effects of stress myself. Earlier this year, due to being hurried and stressed, I inadvertently signed my name on the preschool aftercare roster instead of our preschooler’s name. The next day, a group of smiling staff teased me in good nature. They eagerly informed me that if I did show up for aftercare, they would be happy to put me to work.
Then, there was that time when Addison was less than a week old. My father-in-law and I took our two older girls to their weekly tennis class. Tiny Addison came along so that Jenny could rest. As I gently rocked my newborn daughter, a nearby family struck up a conversation. ” Oh, she is so cute! What is her name?” the family asked. In that horrific moment, I felt my mind go blank. I KNOW this… We have talked about her name for months, I thought to myself. The wheels in my head turned faster. I felt a surge of blood rush toward my face and went flush with embarrassment. After a long pause, I turned toward my father-in-law out of desperation and stated, “You are going to have to help me with this.”
Undoubtedly, too much stress and too little self-care will cause the human mind and body to act in funny ways. Forgetfulness, a short fuse, increased tearfulness, tantrums, and a decrease in happiness are some of the many signs that our kiddos may be experiencing stress overload.
Bust Stress, and Help Kids be Happy
Even little kids get stressed, and knowing how to help young children destress is not always easy. This is why I wrote my first children’s book, Happy Skills For Happy Kids: Ten bright ideas to help kids feel glad! Because children learn best through play, this is a hands-on activity book that guides children and parents in practicing simple stress-busting and mood-boosting skills. The best part is that today, 6/4/2018, you can download the eBook for free. Then, the next time your child feels stressed, anxious, sad, or mad, you can help him or her use these ten simple skills to begin to feel glad!
Continuing the Conversation
Has stress become a happiness block in your home? Have you done something goofy as a result of stress-buildup? (Please tell me I am not the only one). Have you tried the ten happy skills in Happy Skills For Happy Kids with your child? If any of these apply, I would love to hear more! Please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments below!
Finally, don’t forget to download your copy of Happy Skills For Happy Kids! You can get your eBook here: Happy Skills For Happy Kids.
