Managing your child's stress: Listen, don't lecture. Give your
children a chance to tell you what's bothering them. 1) If the
stress is positive, like a really hard class at school, explain
how learning stress can help their brain grow new neurons and
make them smarter. Teach them breathing exercises to calm their
nerves. 2) If the stress is negative and avoidable, by all means
do what you can to help your children avoid it. (This could be
everything from putting a stop to bullying at school or staying
calm instead of yelling when your child flakes on her homework
to finding a new school where your child won't have to observe
daily fights in the hallways.) 3) If the stress is negative and
avoidable, explain to your children that though you may not be
able to eliminate the problem overnight, you take the issue
seriously and will do what you can. Then, make sure that your
children get enough exercise — whether it's playing at the park,
a pillow fight, or a vigorous walk in the woods. By Hank
Pellissier Stress!