Jackson Free Press

As I evaluated a ninth grader on her first day back to school, her mom told me, "She woke up this morning complaining of stomach pain."

The mom said the child complained that the pain was worsening while she was driving her to school, so the mom decided to bring her in for an evaluation. After finding no physical or laboratory abnormalities, I asked if one of my nurses and I could talk to the patient alone.

After the mom left the room, the now teary-eyed teenager told me of a couple of girls that she was not ready to see again.

School is stressful for students, and it can come in many forms, from bullies to academics and everything in between. My suggestions for parents in dealing with stress include increasing communication to detect potential stressors such as bullies. In dealing with that issue, I advise parents to contact the school and speak with school authorities so they can intervene. This approach is different and much more highly advised than my dad's approach many years ago that consisted of going to the bully's home, and "fighting it out."

Academic requirements can also be a major contributor of stress. Parents should help their children with time management, which will significantly help with their academic performance. It is a good idea to set dedicated time aside daily to allow for homework assignments and preparation for the next day.

The pressures of school and the associated social life can feel overwhelming to students. I advise parents to spend time with their children, and talk and listen to them. Proper sleep, not overscheduling with too many extracurricular activities and good nutrition, including a balanced breakfast, will help.

Some stress is not always the worst scenario because it helps young students develop into stronger adults who are better able to manage the stresses that come later in life. But it becomes a problem when the student is overwhelmed and has negative results such as lower academic achievements or behavioral problems. As parents, we cannot totally protect our kids from stress, but we can help them develop healthy ways to cope with it and solve everyday problems.