Studies suggest that children today experience more stress, anxiety and depression than ever before. In fact, a series of surveys by the American Psychological Association show that since 2013, the level of stress reported by children is greater than that of adults. It's an alarming trend by any measure. For young athletes, that stress can be even greater - increased by the demands of sports on top of school, family life and social dynamics. So how do we know if our child is experiencing unhealthy levels of stress and what can we do about it?
This week's video is from Bill Matthews, a licensed counselor who works with families on issues such as this. Matthews encourages parents to begin by having a simple conversation. Ask your child what they're feeling and how you can be more supportive as a parent. Don't assume you understand or that you have all the answers. Listen to what they say and try to understand their feelings. Matthews notes that even well meaning parents can be quick to downplay a child's experience (i.e. you shouldn't feel that way) or try to fix the problem. Instead, our kids need to know that we understand them. They also need to know that we love them unconditionally.
This week, take a moment to ask your child if they are experiencing any feelings of stress or anxiety. Ask them how they feel and when they feel that way.
The stress felt by children and young adults is real. By building a relationship of trust, asking questions and offering our support, parents can help young athletes to identify the issues causing stress or anxiety and work toward a solution. When the situation is too big to overcome on their own, we can also help by guiding them to a licensed professional or physician. Whatever the outcome, our children will be glad to have our support.
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