Warning Signs of Stress

Teenagers react to stress in various ways. Some may spend more time than usual on their homework, never being able to "get it right". Others may simply give up in frustration. Teens feeling social anxiety may withdraw from their friends.

When an adolescent is under stress of any sort, he or she may act anxious or depressed and can no longer cope with situations he or she once handled well.

When Parents’ Stress Affects A Child

Children are more sensitive to their environment than many parent’s realize. Your marital, financial or job-related stress can effect them. If this happens, try to reassure them that you are strong enough to handle the situation.

No matter how bad things get, try not to use your child as a sympathetic ear by telling her all your troubles. Although some children may seem calm and impervious to stress, no child has the inner resources for dealing with stress that an adult does. Love and caring among family members is the best way of getting through difficult times.

What You Can Do

The best way for parents to help their teenagers avoid stress is through unconditional love – the kind that says "I will love you no matter what". If your daughter knows you will love her even if she doesn’t get an "A" on her next exam, she is less likely to feel overwhelmed by schoolwork. The same goes for your son’s performance in sports or social pursuits. If the stress has an identifiable cause – for instance, procrastinating on school assignments – you can work with your kids to help them avoid problems in the future.