The following ideas show specific things you can do, or help your children do, to manage stress.

• Help your children talk about what is bothering them. Don’t force them to talk, but offer opportunities; bedtime or car trips are good times for this. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong?” ask questions such as, “How are things going at school with your teacher?”
  
  
• Encourage vigorous physical activities. If your children do not exercise often, try family activities like bike riding, hiking, or swimming.
  
  
• Spend special one-to-one time. Find hobbies or other activities that you can do alone with your child. This allows for time to talk as well as time for having fun together.
  
  
• Encourage healthy eating. Teach your children by words and example that eating a healthy diet makes their bodies better able to handle stress.
  
  
• Teach relaxation skills. Show your children how to relax by remembering and imagining pleasant situations like a favorite vacation or happy experience.
• Give back rubs and hugs. A short back or shoulder rub can help your children relax and show them you care. Gentle physical touch is a powerful stress reliever.
  
  
• Teach your children that mistakes are OK. Let them know that all people, including you, make mistakes. Mistakes are for learning.
  
  
• Teach ways of handling difficult situations. Talk through and role play with your children how they can handle a stressful situation.
  
  
• Tell stories about dealing with stress. For example, if your child is afraid of a new situation, tell a story about how you once felt in a similar situation and what you did to cope, or find a library book that shows a child coping successfully with stress.
  
  
• Be a role model for your children in handling your own stress in a healthy way. If your children see you talking to others about problems, taking time to relax, and living a healthy lifestyle, your example is likely to rub off.