Most importantly - be available to talk to your child and acknowledge and validate his/her feelings. (Remember that stress is in the eye of the beholder)

• Leave time for a relaxing morning and evening routine.
• Encourage independence/avoid overprotecting.
• Set small attainable goals and evaluate.
• Accept a child for who he or she is.
• Do not expect perfection.
• If a child has difficulty with a particular teacher, help him/her find something to like about that teacher. (They will have to deal with difficult people all their lives!)
• Leave adequate time for rest, exercise and family time.
• Offer appropriate avenues to vent anger or aggression. (Silly Putty and plastic or wooden hammer, punching pillow, stomping corner.) When children are given appropriate avenues for releasing stress they will transfer this to other situations.
• Remember that although stomachache, headache, etc. may be symptoms of stress, your child is really feeling these physical symptoms. Acknowledge that they are real.

If these 'stress busters' do not alleviate stress, seek professional help from a doctor, school counselor, parent support group or private counseling.