Glamaour Era
* Work with your school. If your child is showing signs of stress that concern you, don't be afraid to reach out to
their teacher(s) or school principal. Your child's teacher may be able to shed light on what's causing the stress
and, if nothing else, can help watch out for your child during the school day.
* Establish a routine at home. Children thrive in stable, consistent environments. Creating a predictable
schedule is helpful, if you can, but sometimes that's just not possible. Make a big family calendar and keep it
where everyone can access it. This empowers children to know what's coming up and helps provide the solid
foundation they crave at home. They'll be better prepared to deal with changes and unexpected situations they
may face at school.
* Seek help when you need it. How do you know if your child needs help beyond what you or the school can
provide? Look for warning signs. For example, young children may complain about stomachaches and
headaches that have no physical explanation. When depressed, a child may say that they're angry, rather than
sad, so listen for both - especially when their eating or sleeping patterns also change dramatically, they seem to
have low energy or they aren't taking pleasure in things they enjoyed before. These may be signs of a larger
problem that needs to be addressed immediately with help from mental health professionals.
The school years are exciting, important times for your children, but they can be tough. Check in with your
child daily and don't downplay the stress they may feel. Recognizing potential issues quickly can help prevent
larger problems down the road. To learn more about the Virginia Treatment Center for Children and to nd
more resources to support you and your child, visit chrichmond.org/vtcc.