When there are changes in children’s lives, they can experience stress as this is a normal reaction to transition. Parents need to know how to deal with these situations so that stress is reduced in the child’s life. But how do you get it?
Be aware of emotional issues
You need to be aware of the emotional changes that can contribute to your child’s emotional or physical problems. A divorce, a change of school, the death of a family, the birth of a brother, the separation of parents… are common causes of distress in young children.
Shape a positive attitude
It is essential that you remember that your attitude towards changes is crucial for your children to imitate that behavior. Shaping a positive attitude is necessary for your children’s learning. Children learn to be optimistic or pessimistic depending on what they see in the reference adults, and above all, in their parents.
Beware of excessive changes
You need to keep the other changes in your child’s life to a minimum. For example, if someone has recently died in the family, try to maintain the same routines at home so that they do not feel too many changes, do not think about pointing them to extracurricular activities to distract them if they have not yet passed the grieving process … It is possible that You may want to talk to other family members or teachers so they can provide a little extra emotional support so your child can better process the change.
Involve your child in the conversation
It is important that you involve your child in the conversation and that you talk to him to know how he feels about the changes that are taking place. While children don’t need to know the details of family problems, you can talk to your child in an appropriate way to help relieve stress. For example, if you are facing a divorce and you explain to your son that he has to spend a few days with his father and other days with you, you can create a sense of security.
Remember that it is not appropriate to control your child’s emotions, if he is afraid and wants to cry, allow him to do so. Expressing your emotions is very important so that you can better process change.
Teach kids to be proactive about change
It is important that you teach your children to be proactive in the face of change. This means that you help them to look forward and be able to accept change in the face of difficulties. For example, if you have to change your child’s school, one idea is that you go a few days before he knows the center and the teachers he will have there. If the change has been because a new little brother has come into his life, you can teach him what to do as a new brother / sister that he will be – such as throwing dirty diapers in the trash, watching the brother when you ask, teaching him to do things new with your help, etc-.
Change is inevitable on many occasions and for that reason, children must be taught to be able to face it from a young age.