Adults aren’t the only people to have strong feelings.
Toddlers can have a wide range of emotions that they might not even be able to understand, including stress and anxiety.
When you are so small, big feelings can be very frightening.
This is where you as the parent need to help your child manage their emotions in a healthy way.
The first step in being able to help your toddler is identifying the signs of stress and anxiety.
Why Your Toddler May Be Stressed or Anxious
There are many factors that affect your toddler’s emotions.
Whether it is a fleeting feeling or a prolonged moodiness, pinpointing the source of it gives you an idea of how to relieve their uneasiness.
It could be a number of things, including:
- New siblings. Especially if they were previously an only child, welcoming someone new to the family can be difficult. Irrational thoughts can take over their heads, things like what if they are no longer loved or cared for.
- Starting school. School poses so many brand-new concepts for your child. Friends, learning and being away from home is a lot to take in at once. It is no wonder that many toddlers feel stressed and anxious when they start school.
- Moving. A fresh start in a new place may be appealing for some people but toddlers are not part of that demographic. Even for a child that does not have a big problem with change, uprooting their entire lives is never an easy process.
- Death. Sudden loss is never an easy thing to go through, and for a toddler it can be earth-shattering. whether it is a beloved pet or a family member, the first time they deal with the grief of death can be a stressful time.
- No reason. Sometimes there is no reason for your child’s stress and anxiety. While this is a worrying situation, be patient with them and try to understand how they are feeling instead of why they feel that way.
No matter what the reason for your toddler’s stress and anxiety is, there is always a way to help them.
So, take the time to empathise with them and never dismiss what they are feeling.
Signs of Stress and Anxiety in Your Toddler
These are some of the signs your toddler could be stressed.
Change in Routines
Stress can alter a person’s habits.
Your toddler may begin to eat, sleep and go about their other routines differently than before.
It could be outright refusal to eat at all during mealtimes, or you may notice they just don’t have the same appetite.
Sleepless nights may become common, as well as sleeping in the next morning.
If you push too hard against these new routines they may lash out or just start crying.
However, it is not healthy to allow them to keep up haywire routines and bad habits.
Sudden Change in Behaviour
Your talkative child may suddenly become withdrawn, or your calm and independent child may turn clingy.
These changes may be sudden and/or triggered by an event.
Gradual changes in behaviour can just be a sign of your toddler’s personality developing.
It becomes a problem when you notice your child unhappy in their new behaviour.
But do not be too quick to judge these changes as your child may just be introverted. At the same time, observe behaviour that strikes you as uncanny.
Tantrums
Toddler tantrums tend to be dismissed as bad behaviour that some simple disciplining will put right.
But there may be a deeper cause behind your child’s terrible temperament.
Sometimes when we feel bad inside, we may lash out in an attempt to make ourselves feel better. As if taking the horrible feelings inside and manifesting them as actions can make them go away.
This may be what your baby is doing, so try to get to the root cause of their tantrums.
How to Relieve Your Toddler’s Stress and Anxiety
Activities
They say a healthy body is a healthy mind and there is truth behind it.
Keeping your toddler occupied will help them take their mind off whatever is bothering them.
You can take them to the park for some physical fun or stay in at do some activities at home.
Painting, reading and playing musical instrument are just some examples of activities that will help your child feel positive emotions.
Even though kids can feel the same kind of stress and anxiety that adults do, they are much more easily distracted.
Sometimes all you need is a good bit of fun to get them out of a hopeless mindset.
Talk It Out
Some parents may not always speak to their children as equals, and that is something that has to change.
Of course, there are boundaries between parent and child but it can help for you to get down to their level and have a proper conversation about their mental health.
Toddlers have limited knowledge in every aspect. You cannot expect them to be able to rationalise their feelings.
Hence, talking to them will help to put a label on those feelings, even if it is just happy or sad.
Teaching them how to voice their state of mind will help you understand them better.
Remember, being able to lend an ear when they need to express themselves can really help.
Therapy
When all else fails, it is time to turn towards professional help.
For some, therapy may have a dauting reputation; especially in the Asian community.
But your child’s wellbeing is worth giving it a try.
It may seem like going for therapy is admitting that your child has a serious problem, but that is not always the case.
Therapy is just a tool that will help them help themselves.
Apart from getting a professional opinion on your toddler’s state of mind, therapy can teach them coping skills and positive behaviour.
A therapist can really help get through to your child and aid them in ways you may not be able to.
Sorting Out Feelings
Stress and anxiety can plague anyone, so your toddler suffering from these feelings does not mean all hope is lost.
There is always a way to make them feel better and by simply putting in the time and effort you can be sure to find it.
It may take time, and this may even be a long-term issue. However, it is highly unlikely that your baby is beyond help.
So, put your effort into helping them. You’ve got this, parents!
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