health
February 24, 2026
How to raise compassionate, resilient kids during stressful times, from a psychologist: You 'have a real job to do'
Parents may need to work a little harder than most people to manage their stress so it doesn't accidentally affect their kids, says psychologist Aliza Pressman.
TL;DR
- Parents must manage their own stress to parent effectively and maintain close relationships with their children.
- Chronic parental stress can negatively affect a child's ability to learn resilience and take calculated risks.
- Parents should manage their anxiety by implementing daily stress-relief habits before discussing stressful events with children.
- When talking to children about stressful topics, parents should start by listening to what their children have heard and acknowledge their feelings.
- Discussions should be tailored to the child's age and maturity, offering age-appropriate honesty, hope, and potential actions.
- Focusing on positive actions and role models can help shift anxiety towards constructive change.
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