- Family Withdrawal:
If your normally talkative family is suddenly retreating to their rooms, something may be going on.
Perhaps your child is overwhelmed with your stress, so instead of watching mom lose her cool, they choose to retreat to their room.
Or, they could be isolating as a coping mechanism to avoid the family chaos.
Parents reported:
“During times of high stress, some children shut themselves off from others.
Older kids might lock themselves in their room more, for example, while younger ones may stop asking to have playdates with friends.
Sound familiar?
A check-in could be in order. “Talk to your kids. Talk and keep talking. Keep the conversation open,” Dr. Alvord says. “And if you’re stressed, say it—’I’m going to take a hot bath and chill out for a bit.’ Problem-solve out loud so they know how you handle stress.
By the same token, be sure you’re modeling good coping mechanisms for your children. If yours are less-than-positive—think overeating, drinking, oversleeping—try adopting
healthier habits, like deep breathing, mindfulness, and regular exercise, she adds.”
By showing your child how to handle stress, which is inevitable, you’re setting them up for emotional health down the road.