THE HIDDEN SIGNS OF STRESS IN CHILDREN

How to spot the quiet symptoms of distress in your child and ways to help them feel better.

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When we think of stress, we often picture adults juggling too much at once - tight deadlines, bills to pay, not enough hours in the day. What we sometimes forget is that children, too, can experience stress - and they often show it in ways that are easy to overlook.

Stress in kids doesn't always look the same as it does in grown-ups. It can be quiet, stealthy and even mistaken for something else entirely. That's why it's so important for us as parents to be tuned into the subtler signs that our little ones might be struggling.

CHILDHOOD STRESS

It might seem surprising, but even young children can feel the weight of stress. The sources may be different from ours - from school pressure, friendship drama or family changes to absorbing our own adult worries. However, the feelings are just as real.

Kids don't always have the language or emotional maturity to express what they're feeling, which means their stress often bubbles up in other ways, through behaviour, body or mood.

SIGNS TO WATCH FOR

While every child is different, here are some of the more subtle indicators that your child might be feeling stressed.

Changes in sleep

If your child suddenly starts having trouble falling asleep, wakes up frequently during the night or begins having nightmares, stress could be the culprit. Likewise, sleeping too much or seeming unusually tired during the day can also be signs their mind is working overtime.

Physical complaints

As with adults, stress in little ones can also manifest physically. Repeated stomach aches, headaches, muscle tension or even nausea with no clear medical cause are all common indicators. Little ones might say, "I don't feel well" when what they're really feeling is overwhelmed.

Ups and downs