--- title: "School Stress: 10 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Manage Stress" description: "School Stress: 10 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Manage Stress" image: https://www.iga.com/hubfs/school-stress-homepage-blog.jpg --- Help Isom IGA recover from devasting floods [Donate here](https://www.iga.com/htpf) - [Savings](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Recipes](https://www.iga.com/recipes) - [Shopper Solutions](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions) - [Products](https://www.iga.com/products) - [Store Locator](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Corporate](https://corporate.iga.com) - [Become IGA](https://corporate.iga.com/become-iga/) - [Programs](https://corporate.iga.com/programs) - [Products](https://corporate.iga.com/products) - [Resources](https://corporate.iga.com/resources) - [Events](https://corporate.iga.com/events) - [News](https://corporate.iga.com/news) - [Savings](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Recipes](https://www.iga.com/recipes) - [Shopper Solutions](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions) - [Products](https://www.iga.com/products) - [Store Locator](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Corporate](https://corporate.iga.com) - [Become IGA](https://corporate.iga.com/become-iga/) - [Programs](https://corporate.iga.com/programs) - [Products](https://corporate.iga.com/products) - [Resources](https://corporate.iga.com/resources) - [Events](https://corporate.iga.com/events) - [News](https://corporate.iga.com/news) ** ** ** - [Recipes](https://www.iga.com/recipes) - [Store Locator](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Savings](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Recipes](https://www.iga.com/recipes) - [Shopper Solutions](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions) - [Products](https://www.iga.com/products) - [Store Locator](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Corporate](https://corporate.iga.com) - [Become IGA](https://corporate.iga.com/become-iga/) - [Programs](https://corporate.iga.com/programs) - [Products](https://corporate.iga.com/products) - [Resources](https://corporate.iga.com/resources) - [Events](https://corporate.iga.com/events) - [News](https://corporate.iga.com/news) ** ** ** ** **Menu** ** ** - [Savings](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Recipes](https://www.iga.com/recipes) - [Shopper Solutions](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions) - [Products](https://www.iga.com/products) - [Store Locator](https://www.iga.com/find-a-store) - [Corporate](https://corporate.iga.com) - [Become IGA](https://corporate.iga.com/become-iga/) - [Programs](https://corporate.iga.com/programs) - Signage & Décor - [Sign Kits](https://corporate.iga.com/signs) - [Store Décor](https://corporate.iga.com/decor-program) - [Marketing](https://corporate.iga.com/programs/marketing) - [Digital Marketing](https://corporate.iga.com/digital-advertising) - [National Digital Ad](https://corporate.iga.com/programs/marketing/national-digital-ad) - [Social Media](https://corporate.iga.com/programs/marketing/social-media) - [Retail Standards](https://corporate.iga.com/programs/retail-standards) - [IGA Cares](https://www.iga.com/htpf) - [Products](https://corporate.iga.com/products) - [Resources](https://corporate.iga.com/resources) - [Best Practices](https://www.iga.com/best-practices) - [Branding](https://corporate.iga.com/programs/branding) - [Image Downloads](https://corporate.iga.com/resources/download-center) - [Local Equals Fresh](https://corporate.iga.com/local-equals-fresh) - [Red Oval Partners](https://corporate.iga.com/partners) - [Training](https://www.igainstitute.com) - [Events](https://corporate.iga.com/events) - [Events](https://corporate.iga.com/events) - [Webinars](https://corporate.iga.com/events/webinars) - [News](https://corporate.iga.com/news) - [Category Insights](https://corporate.iga.com/category-insights) - [Insights](https://www.iga.com/insights) - [Press Room](https://www.iga.com/corporate/news/press-room) ![](https://www.iga.com/hubfs/school-stress-homepage-blog.jpg) [Better Choices](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tag/better-choices) | 2 min read # School Stress: 10 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Manage Stress Written by [The Partnership For Drug-Free Kids](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/author/the-partnership-for-drug-free-kids) Aug 13, 2018 Stress is part of kids’ lives. While some stress can help motivate them to get work done, **too much stress** can be overwhelming and can cause problems with health, sleep and brain function. And when stressed, [some teens and young adults may turn to abusing stimulants](https://www.drugfree.org/school-stress-stimulant-abuse-kids-know-parents-dont/), like Adderall and Ritalin, to stay awake and focused. With help from [Dr. Denise Pope](http://www.challengesuccess.org/about/leadership/founders-staff/), co-founder of [Challenge Success](http://dfk.convio.net/site/R?i=4QuJrf7lJsCpfbZgu2Y_Vg) at Stanford University, here are 10 ways parents can support their kids navigate their busy lives, including homework, downtime and re-framing what ‘success’ looks like in today’s hectic academic environment. Homework 1. Act as a cheerleader and **supporter **for your teen—provide the necessary supplies and show an active interest in the content your child is learning, but allow the teachers to handle it if your kid fails to do the homework correctly or regularly. 2. Recognize that children **learn in different ways **and have different work styles—some do homework all at once, while others need to take frequent breaks. Discuss with your child the working conditions that will lead to the best homework outcomes. 3. Work **WITH **your child to develop a schedule that will allow time to complete homework, work on projects and study for tests—while still attending activities, getting adequate sleep and having time for play. ### Make time for "PDF" 1. Don’t underestimate the importance of non-academic achievements. [Challenge Success](mailto:http://www.challengesuccess.org/) emphasizes that kids—regardless of age—need **playtime, downtime and family time (‘PDF’) **each day. Research show this acts as a protective factor for long-term academic engagement and overall well-being. 2. Allow space and **rejuvenation **between activities. Encourage teens to unwind by listening to music, reading for pleasure and spending time with friends. Kids need time to reflect and dream, explore the world, develop interests, make friends and craft an identity. 3. Schedule **high-quality family time **multiple times a week to give kids the experience of unconditional love, acceptance and support. Eat meals together, take walks, swap stories and practice family traditions. ### Embrace a Broader Definition of Success 1. As a family, discuss the **characteristics of success **that you value most (e.g., compassion, integrity, health). Remind your kids that success is measured over the course of a lifetime, not at the end of a semester. 2. Explain that there are many **different paths to success**. Talk about your own path, including your struggles and **[failures](https://www.drugfree.org/school-stress-raising-resilient-self-aware-kids/)**. 3. Examine the **subtle messages **you send your kids. If your first question after school is, “How’d you do on the test?” you may be implying that grades matter more than anything else. Instead, ask, “How was your day? Learn anything interesting? Did you get to spend time with friends?” 4. Help your teen find the right-fit college or post-secondary opportunity. **Debunk the myth **that only the most prestigious colleges will lead to success. ### ** **Key Takeaways: - Support your teens by giving them the skills to help plan their time better. - Encourage downtime for rejuvenation. - Foster a healthy definition of “success.” Make sure your children know that they are loved for who they are, not only for how well they perform. - Talk to them about the **[dangers of stimulant abuse](https://www.drugfree.org/school-stress-5-myths-stimulant-abuse/)**. If you’re worried that son or daughter is struggling with substance use, [connect with the Partnership’s Helpline via phone, text, or email](https://www.drugfree.org/get-help/helpline/). * **Print PDF*** Previous Story [← Packable and Snackable!](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/packable-and-snackable) [** ](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions) Next Story [Beat the Heat with No-Stove Meals →](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/beat-the-heat-with-no-stove-meals) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Better Choices [![](https://www.iga.com/hubfs/Sustainable%20shopping%20CARD.png) ](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tips-for-grocery-shopping-sustainably) [Better Choices](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tag/better-choices) ### [Tips for Grocery Shopping Sustainably](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tips-for-grocery-shopping-sustainably) Apr 11, 2023, 1:30:00 PM | 3 min read [![](https://www.iga.com/hubfs/Freezer%20CARD.png) ](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/save-time-in-the-kitchen-with-freezer-hacks) [Better Choices](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tag/better-choices) ### [Save Time in the Kitchen with Freezer Hacks](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/save-time-in-the-kitchen-with-freezer-hacks) Jan 16, 2023, 10:47:09 AM | 6 min read [Better Choices](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tag/better-choices) ### [Tips for Hosting a Happy, Healthy and Inclusive Halloween](https://www.iga.com/shopper-solutions/tips-for-hosting-a-happy-healthy-and-inclusive-halloween) Oct 21, 2022, 1:16:33 PM | 2 min read ** ### Subscribe by Email ### Contact IGA 8745 West Higgins Rd. 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