00:00School stress can affect even strong, capable kids. It may show up as tears, anger, stomach aches,
00:06perfectionism, school refusal, or constant homework battles. The challenge for parents
00:12is knowing how to help without stepping in so much that a child never learns to cope.
00:16School stress can affect even strong, capable kids. It may show up as tears, anger, stomach aches,
00:23perfectionism, school refusal, or constant homework battles. The challenge for parents
00:28is knowing how to help without stepping in so much that a child never learns to cope.
00:32Stress in children does not always sound like, school is too much. It may look like irritability,
00:37trouble sleeping, refusal to get ready, shutdowns after school, or repeated physical complaints
00:43before class. Some kids become clingy. Others act like they do not care at all. Stress in children
00:50does not always sound like, school is too much. It may look like irritability, trouble sleeping,
00:56refusal to get ready, shutdowns after school, or repeated physical complaints before class.
01:02Some kids become clingy. Others act like they do not care at all. School stress can build from many
01:08directions at once. Grades, heavy homework, test anxiety, social conflict, bullying, classroom
01:14pressure, and fear of making mistakes can all pile up. Sometimes the issue is not one big event.
01:20It is the steady pressure of too many demands without enough time to recover. Grades, heavy
01:26homework, test anxiety, social conflict, bullying, classroom pressure, and fear of making mistakes
01:32can all pile up. Sometimes the issue is not one big event. It is the steady pressure of too many
01:38demands without enough time to recover. Most adults want to remove stress fast. That instinct comes from
01:44love. But solving every hard moment can send the message that a child cannot handle distress without
01:50someone else fixing it. Over time, too much rescuing can increase anxiety and reduce confidence.
01:56But solving every hard moment can send the message that a child cannot handle distress without someone
02:02else fixing it. Over time, too much rescuing can increase anxiety and reduce confidence. A better
02:08first step is validation. Calm statements like, that sounds really hard, or it makes sense that
02:15this feels big right now. Help a child feel understood. Validation is not the same as
02:20removing expectations. It simply lowers emotional intensity so problem solving can begin. Validation
02:26is not the same as removing expectations. It simply lowers emotional intensity so problem
02:31solving can begin.
02:42Instead of fixing the entire problem, ask questions that build coping skills.
02:47What feels hardest about this? What is one small step for tonight? What helped last time?
02:53Breaking tasks into smaller pieces helps children feel more capable and less overwhelmed.
02:58Breaking tasks into smaller pieces helps children feel more capable and less overwhelmed.
03:10Children usually do best with warmth and structure at the same time.
03:14Support can sound like this. This is hard, and it can still be worked through.
03:18That approach helps kids feel safe while also learning that stress does not always mean stop.
03:39If school stress is lasting for weeks, affecting sleep, causing frequent school refusal, leading
03:46to panic symptoms, or disrupting family life, counseling may help. Early support can teach
03:51coping skills, reduce conflict, and help a child regain confidence. Early support can teach coping
03:58skills, reduce conflict, and help a child regain confidence. For families in Chicago, professional
04:04support can make school stress feel more manageable. Counseling can help children build emotional
04:09regulation, improve problem-solving, and face school challenges with more confidence and
04:14less fear.
04:33River North Counseling Group LLC is located at 405 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 3209, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
04:41Call 312.467.0000 or visit HTTPS www.rivernorthcounseling.com.
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