Raising emotionally strong kids

How adults can ensure that children become emotionally resilient to withstand societal pressure

- Shilpi

A 10-year-old biting her nails, grinding her teeth at night, a teenager with headaches before exams, unsettling restlessness, and avoiding engagement with people and places, getting angry over trivial issues are signs we often dismiss as ‘just stress’ But they might be early whispers of anxiety, which usually go unnoticed if not attended to on time.

Decoding anxiety

Children don't always express anxiety through words. It manifests in their behaviour, sleep patterns, and physical symptoms. Some children somatise stress, with their bodies “speaking” their worries when they can’t articulate them otherwise.