Six Signs that Your Active Child is Overstressed

One quick glance at the packed schedule sent me, an overachieving multitasker, into panic mode. The sad part was it wasn't even my schedule. It was the weekly lineup for an 11-year-old in my youth group. I knew her parents and knew their intentions were not to add undue stress to her life, but the poor girl was so busy her head was spinning and the stress was mounting.

As parents, we want to raise well-rounded and socially skilled kids, so we sign them up for sports or other activities we think they'll enjoy or benefit from participating in. And, that's not a bad thing -- unless they are over-scheduled. Then the things that used to be fun experiences become unnecessary sources of stress for kids. So how do you know when all the activities are simply too much and are taking a toll? Here are six signs that your child's busy schedule is over-stressing him or her.

The child's eating patterns change. Kids react to stress much like adults do, and the appetite is one of the first things to take a hit. Some refuse to eat or insist they're not hungry, while others start to overeat. Both, if not addressed properly, can lead to more serious eating disorders.

Overstressed kids often struggle with sleep issues. When I was a child, I reacted to anxiety and trauma by walking in my sleep. Regardless of how well I thought I hid it from my parents, they always knew because it manifested itself when I was asleep. A child's subconscious may deal with too much stress by having trouble falling asleep, waking up more frequently, having an increase in nightmares or sleepwalking, or bedwetting long after they are potty trained.

Kids who are feeling over-scheduled, may withdraw from friends and family or act reluctant to take part in activities. Of course, these reaction are also intensified if they child or teen is not sleeping well at night.

A healthy child starts complaining often of not feeling well. Stress can be a trigger to anxiety and depression in kids and teenagers. Your child may not be faking it with those complaints of headaches or stomachaches. It's possible that if your child is feeling overstressed, he is experiencing very real symptoms.

The child has a severe decline in schoolwork performance or behavior. Think about how you feel when you're overworked or trying to juggle too many responsibilities. Do you want to work your best or act as sweetly to those around you? I know I don't. Neither does your child!

Overstressed kids act more irritable than usual or overreact to situations. This one is kind of tricky because adolescents tend be moody anyhow, but drastic changes to moods when accompanied with any of these other signs is a good indicator of stress.

Involvement in extracurricular activities, if scheduled in moderation, is beneficial for teaching social skills to kids or helping them develop hobbies and interests. It's also equally important that they have unscheduled time to simply be kids and to discover who they are. The key is to find a balance that is right for your individual child.

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