It’s difficult sometimes to know what makes kids stressed out, their lives can seem so easy and carefree sometimes…but when mom and dad are dealing with financial, health or other issues, even a perceptive 3.5yr old can feel the tension. One such 3.5 year old was recently heard telling her mom, “mom, don’t get worried about dad being laid off, I’ll get a job helping you with the laundry!” All children, but especially very sensitive, precocious ones pick up on what’s going on and may internalize it and develop their own symptoms including sleep difficulties, stomach aches or other physical problems, anxiety or become more clingy or tearful when separating. It’s important to talk with kids in age appropriate language about what’s going on because their imaginations might create a far worse scenario than the real one. If dad or mom are laid off, acknowledging that there is a change going in the family while reassuring the child that the grown-ups have things under control and are taking care of the family is very reassuring and all that may be needed. Even gifted kids are still children and don’t need to know all of the details. Many families are under stress these days and dealing proactively is the best way to help kids of all ages and abilities manage their worries…
Parenting, Gifted and Talented, Anxiety and Stress Management
