By 10 Things Kids Say When They Actually Have Anxiety
May 10, 2021
Children say the funniest things, often to the bewilderment of their parents. But these phrases can indicate that your child is anxious about something.
Kids go through anxiety just like most teens and adults, with the only difference being communicating it. As such, a parent or guardian must learn some of the more obvious calls for help. These are the things children say when they are going through anxiety, and knowing them would do you a lot of good.
10 things kids say that suggest they might feel anxious
Know the things children say when struggle with anxiety it can help you calm their minds.
1 – “I’m sleepy.”
This is one of the most common things adults say after a long day at work. However, do these adults ever stop and ponder if their toddler feels the same way? Kids have it just as hard as adults, going through incredibly stressful days, as well as some unique challenges.
This is why you should always be vigilant, as you don’t know when your child might need a helping hand.
“I’m tired” could be seen as a way for children to ask a caregiver to go through a rough patch together. Knowing this phrase could give you a better perspective on what your little one is going through.
2 – “My head hurts.”
Many parents don’t give their children the credit they deserve. The kids are super bright, curious and can do almost anything to get out of a complicated situation. One of his recourse is to complain about headaches.
As a parent or guardian, you should not accuse your child of laziness. Instead, take him aside and ask him what the problem is.
That way, you will develop a lasting sense of trust and closeness with your little one. He may be the parent who increases the headache or he may be the one who relieves it and makes it all better. We strongly recommend that you choose the latter, as that would lead to a fantastic and communicative future.
3 – “What’s wrong with me?”
A simple question, a cry for help, a call to action, or simply a means of receiving a bear hug.
One thing is for sure, when a young child asks you, “What’s wrong with me?” clearly something is bothering him.
This is not the time for you to act like a tough parent. Instead, it’s time for you to do more research and show the child that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. You could do this by speaking words of solidarity and affirmation. You can also do this by walking, rather than speaking what is being spoken.
Either way, you little boy You will see that you have a friend who is worth keeping and communicating with.
4 – “Can we stay home?”
There is nothing better for children because there is hardly a place you can go where there is so much love and care. That is why it is not uncommon to see young children burst into tears when it is time to go out.
Not that the little boy is antisocial. In fact, it could be simply because you prefer to be in your comfort zone. Now it is up to you to show your child that you understand the things children say when they need your help. Then reassure them that there is nothing scary about going out. And before you know it, it will be the child who will ask you when they can go outside to play instead of staying inside.
5 – “Is it time to go home?”
When you worry about your child’s desire to escape a crowd of two or more, take a trip back in time.
Today you may be the most sociable person there is. But remember a time when you felt incredibly uncomfortable in a crowd. Your little one is just a kid, so this extra social interaction may take some getting used to.
So take it easy when they ask you “Is it time to go yet?” because maybe it’s time to leave the meeting. Also, there are no set rules that your child should be comfortable with his friends. It’s the same way that you can’t stand some of your in-laws and their antics.
So you should give the little one a break from time to time; he or she will come if it is meant to be.
6 – “Do it yourself”.
The fear of taking a wrong step, the fear of disappointing mom and dad, the constant desire to be perfect. Those are just a few of the reasons why a child can be quite reluctant to perform a task when adults are around.
They know that you are older and probably wiser than them, so they don’t want to soften the lines. At this point, it is not necessary to criticize the child or be disappointed. You have to show the anxious child that there is no big problem in completing the task.
A child who tells you to do it yourself is not a rude child. Instead, it’s just his way of subtly displaying anxiety. Take it easy and calmly show your child how to do the task. Like one day, the roles would be reversed.
7 – “I want to go home.”
This one is pretty self explanatory, as we’ve all been there and seen the look on a young child’s face when he utters these five demanding words. If not, you better get used to it because children are not the most tolerant of people. They will not hesitate to interrupt an awkward meeting and playing with their toys at home seems to be a better proposition.
The saying “I want to go home” shouldn’t piss you off. Instead, call the child aside, listen to his perspective, and make a wise decision. Sometimes follow the child’s wishes, apologize for the meeting, and take the child home. Other times, show the child that sometimes he will not get his wish. That way, you will give the child an excellent workout and calm the nerves that the child was initially harboring.
8 – “You can’t make me.”
All you have to do is look into their eyes when they say this, and it will melt your heart, making you think twice about what you plan to do. Children can be impressionable, but occasionally they have their own ideas. It is the hallmark of a great parent, guardian, friend, listening to your little one.
“Don’t force me” means don’t force me, and you may have a crying child on your hands if you do otherwise without a compelling reason. So you better consider all the options before making a decision. Also, there is nothing to worry about if you make a wrong decision in the initial stages. Like eventually, you will find a way to balance it all, and anxiety will be a thing of the past.
9 – “My belly hurts.”
It could be the shrimp, it could be something you said, or it could be the burning desire to skip school. One thing is for sure, children have times when their stomach hurts and they are not good at hiding it. When a child tells you that his stomach hurts, it is best to ask him some friendly questions.
That way, you will ease the anxiety if that’s the problem. But if that doesn’t work. It is probably best that you see a doctor as soon as possible. Also, this is not the right time to downplay the situation; A young child could be distressed!
10 – “Can you turn on the night light for me?”
Lately, children see so much media that it exposes them to things that can scare them or cause them anxiety. They are not as comfortable when left alone, and the least you can do is turn on the night light.
You can do that or tuck them in before heading to your bedroom. This is just something kids say to warn you. And in no time, they’ll overcome fear and laugh at the spooky good old days. However, during that time, it will be a masterstroke to master the art of leaving the light at night.
Otherwise, you could end up with a super sleepy kid every school day.
Final Thoughts on Things Children Say That Indicate Anxiety
Children are simply adorable and they have the cutest ways of communicating with the people they trust the most. One of the ways you can build trust is by listening very carefully. Once you hear any of the above statementsYou will recognize the signs and see that it is time to take action.
It is always best to keep the lines of communication open as a parent. That way, you can earn your child’s trust. Anxiety is natural, and we all go through the motions when we were in their shoes. The least we can do is be compassionate, fair, and indelibly sensitive to your children’s problems.
