by Dr. Michael Smith

Created on: January 14, 2009

Many parents fail to realize that just as they struggle with issues related to living, their children face many areas of stress in their lives as well. The economy, crises, divorce, etc. can be overwhelming for young people, and in these times children need the kindness and consideration of parents and extended family members. Consider some ways in which the stress of children can be alleviated and how valuable coping lessons can be learned.

Learn to communicate with your children

First, develop the art of listening. Your greatest ability as a parent revolves around your paying attention to your children. Positive adult interaction does more to help a child cope with pressure than any other single thing you can do. Listening does not mean you have all the answers, but that you are interested and willing to take the time to interact. Children are faced with many issues today ranging from peer pressure to maturation, and they need a sounding board to figure things out. You certainly do not want them learning those lessons from their peers.

As a parent you also need to communicate with your children. Teenagers resent being lectured and it is usually too late to learn how to communicate with them after they have entered those trying years from 13-20. Your relationship must be started when they are young. Talking with them and listening to them will be of great value when the teen years come.

Teach your children to work and make their own way

The danger we face in the uncertain economy is that so many have never faced hardship, many do not know how to work, and they do not know how to live without credit. Teaching your children to hold a job and save for what they want and need will put them in good stead to survive in hard times. Most young people are not aware of the differences between wants and needs. They have no concept of making decisions between the two.

Every young person should be able to cook, clean, do laundry, and take care of himself or herself. Young people are ill-prepared for life these days because they have never had to do anything of substance. The skills learned by having a job, doing chores, etc. are basic to being able to function in the real world. Dealing with problems and people are learned skills and invaluable.

Young people need to learn what is most important

The past decades were times of undue emphasis on money. Parents were so busy making all they could to buy all the material things and they abandoned the importance of family and home. Children

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