Top Ten Stressors for Families Today

Stress is different for each person and each region of the world. The top ten stressors for families today are:

1. Economics: This is very stressful for families. If a family doesn’t have money they can provide for their children. A child’s well being starts with food and shelter, which costs money.

2. Children’s behavior: Children that act out are hard on the family because it takes a lot of energy. If parents can’t control their children tension builds up in the family.

3. Insufficient couple time: Parents need an outlet away from the children. If they don’t the parents might feel overwhelmed and resent the children.

4. Lack of shared responsibility in the family: If one person is doing all the work in the family, there will be conflict. That person will be strained and resent the other parent. It also doesn’t teach the child responsibility.

5. Communicating with children: If children don’t understand what is going on in the family, they might feel lost or unimportant.

6. Insufficient “me” time: If the adults don’t get time for themselves they might get angry or frustrated and the children will get the effects of that.

7. Guilt for not accomplishing more: If the parent or child feels guilty about something they might internalize the problem and not be open to try again in fear of failing.

8. Spousal relationship: If the parents have a healthy, happy relationship that will overflow through the whole family. Children are happy when their parents are happy.

9. Insufficient family play time: If children don’t get time in have fun and interact with their family they might feel unimportant or left out.

10. Overscheduled family calendar: Children need time to relax. If the family is always busy they child might become anxious.