Care Giving Stress and the Children

Stresses on YOU can affect the CHILDREN in your care.

Here’s how…

• Caregivers who are stressed are more irritable.
• Caregivers might scream and yell at children. When caregivers are irritable it can be hard to accept normal behaviors and to find ways to channel the high energy and activity level of children into positive directions.
• Caregivers might find themselves saying “No” more frequently to children instead of trying to find ways to involve children in productive activities.
• Caregivers who are stressed are more likely to be inconsistent. A negative cycle can get started when caregivers become lax about enforcing rules.
• Children become concerned about their own security and will test the limits. This creates more stress for an already stressed caregiver.
• Caregivers who are stressed are more tired. These caregivers often don’t take the time to get out the messy or noisy or complicated activities. They often find they avoid activities that are valuable for the children, such as art, or loud activities that require letting the children use musical instruments.
• Caregivers who are stressed lose a feeling of joy of life. A caregiver might not laugh and sing with young children. This causes both to lose a sense of joy in daily life.
• Caregivers who are stressed don’t take good care of themselves. They find themselves not enforcing health and safety limits with the same concern as when they are not as stressed.
• Care giving stress can result in problems in providing quality care for young children. Taking care of yourself is a necessary part of the job of being a caregiver.

Related Training:
Stress Management
Stress in Young Children