How to Support Your Child Through Anxiety and Stressful Times

Children can experience anxiety and stress for many reasons. As a parent or foster carer, you play an important role in helping your child cope during difficult times. Here are some tips on supporting your child through periods of anxiety and stress:

Understand the Causes

Anxiety can stem from different sources depending on the child’s age and experiences. For younger children, common triggers include separation from parents, adjusting to new environments like school, or fears of the dark, insects, etc. Older children may feel anxious about academics, social situations, relationships, world events, or their future.

For children in foster care such as emergency fostering, sources of anxiety can be linked to traumatic experiences like neglect, abuse, domestic violence, or sudden separation from family. Feelings of loss, confusion, and lack of stability or safety can heighten stress. Be sensitive to your foster child’s history and unique situation.

Look for Signs

Anxious children may exhibit physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, rapid heart rate or sleep issues. Emotional signs include crying, sadness, irritability, anger or withdrawal. Some children also show anxiety through behavioural symptoms like refusing to go to school, clinginess, avoidance of certain places or tantrums. Know your child’s anxiety signals so you can intervene early.

Provide Extra Comfort

Children need extra comfort when feeling anxious or stressed. Make time to listen, give hugs, and reassure them. Help younger children label their emotions by saying things like “I can see you feel scared about starting nursery school. It’s normal to feel nervous in new places.” Avoid minimising their concerns or giving excessive sympathy. Remain calm and let them know you’re there for support.

Maintain Routines

Consistency and structure are calming during turbulent times. Stick to regular schedules for meals, school, activities and bedtimes. Prepare children in advance for any changes or disruptions to their routine. Foster children especially benefit from predictability and order when other parts of their life feel chaotic.

Encourage Expression

Provide healthy outlets for children to express themselves. Talking, drawing or journaling can help kids work through worries and fears. Creative play and physical activity are also great stress relievers. Avoid pressuring them to open up before they are ready. Just make it clear you are available to listen when needed.

Teach Coping Skills

Equip children with methods to self-soothe and manage anxiety. Help them recognise signs of stress in their body. Then teach techniques like deep breathing, relaxing their muscles or visualising a calming place. Practice these skills together when they are calm, so children can utilise them when feeling anxious.

Know When to Seek Help

Consult your GP if anxiety is impacting your child’s daily functioning over an extended time. For foster children, refer them to counselling or mental health services that address trauma. Early intervention can help prevent anxiety from spiralling. Assure your child there is nothing wrong with needing some extra support.

Be a Positive Role Model

Children look to parents and caregivers to model how to handle stress. Remain hopeful about challenges your family faces. Express your own feelings calmly without catastrophising. Show resilience by taking care of your needs and turning to your support system. Your mindset and actions will influence your child’s anxiety coping style.

With patience and support from loved ones, children can learn to manage anxiety. Stay tuned into your child’s needs, provide nurturing care, and encourage open expression. You play a pivotal role in empowering children to cope with stress – so they can thrive through life’s ups and downs.