Help your child handle stress

Children feel stressed just like adults do, and they exhibit many of the same signs of stress that we do. These include headaches, stomachaches, overeating or skipping meals, having trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much, a drop in school performance, irritability, angry or aggressive behavior, withdrawing socially, or spending hours a day online or watching TV or playing video games.

If your child shows one or more of these signs, here are some things you can do:

? Acknowledge your child’s worries and fears.

? Make sure your child gets enough sleep and plenty of exercise.

? Limit exposure to TV violence.

? If the signs of stress don’t go away, talk with your child’s teacher, a school counselor or psychologist, or your child’s physician.