Q: My child who recently started senior school has started complaing abour headaches, is easily irritable and is nervous about the slightest thing, I am very worried for her welfare. What should I do?

 

Call it pressure. Call it great expectations. Whatever its name the result is the same: school stress.Stress is a function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them. Many kids are too busy to have time to play creatively or relax after school. Kids who complain about all their activities or who refuse to go to them might be overscheduled. Talk with your kids about how they feel about extracurricular activities. If they complain, discuss the pros and cons of stopping one activity. If stopping isn't an option, explore ways to help manage your child's time and responsibilities to lessen the anxiety.

 

Kids' stress may be intensified by more than just what's happening in their own lives. Do your kids hear you talking about troubles at work, worrying about a relative's illness, or arguing with your spouse about financial matters? Parents should watch how they discuss such issues when their kids are near because children will pick up on their parents' anxieties and start to worry themselves. Make sure that kids are able to juggle their activities, as they reach the senior classes the workload will increase and they might not time for outside activities, have a balance. Make sure they get enough sleep and a good nutrition. These are little ways to help your child with their increasing responsibilities.

 

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Q: My toddler started nursery for the very first time. She is very happy going in, but every time I pick her up from nursery she comes out crying? I am very confused, it makes me wonder if she is happy even though the teachers say that she is fine. Can you explain why this happens?

 

This is the first time your toddler is away from you since he or she is born. Yes initially nursery is interesting because they are distracted with new students, people and the activities going on. But that's not to say that they are not missing you. So that explains why they cry the minute they see you. Children cry because it a form of communication for them. Unlike adults, it is not always due to sadness or pain. For any parent hearing their child cry is distressing enough but these are just crocodile tears or more like happy tears to see you after a long day of nursery fun. I wouldn't let it troublele you too much, for like all phases it too will pass. 

 

 

 

Parents, we need all the help we can get, so here’s Parenting Nanny to your rescue. If you have any parenting related queries, send them in to [email protected] and she will be sure to come to your rescue! 

 

 

Text by Mayuri Jayasinghe