Friction over school work

School and homework are not usually held in high esteem by children when faced with hours of tedious work. They don't see the full value of studying, learning, and preparing for the future. Parents, on the other hand, want their kids to succeed as they grow up. It is common to have this ambition drive a father or mother to push their kids toward academic excellence. There may even be a target career that the parents have in mind. All this can cause pressure for a child who is unwilling or does not possess natural ability in a particular area.

Children may become nervous and unresponsive. This can be stressful and lead to self esteem issues. In my case, Math is the big item. I know that it is an important tool for many career paths and it was something I was good at during my school days. My son, however, has trouble with Math. He does not like to work on it and has trouble staying focused during homework sessions. Intense sessions together become traumatic as I push him to learn. I have noticed that his eyes sometimes twitch or he will click his fingers repeatedly.

Overcoming shyness and thinking of others

It seems that girls mature faster than boys. They form friendships faster and express their thoughts more clearly. On the other hand, when my son is asked a question he often has a hard time responding with any confidence. He does not see the need to spend time around other people. Instead, he likes playing video games and watching TV. It is sometimes like pulling teeth to get him to be in a group. By putting pressure on him, he feels pressure to conform in ways he does not see as necessary. The anxiety symptoms show up when he as asked to get information from another or address a group. He will usually mumble when forced to perform.

Baseball, conditioning, and dedication

My son started playing baseball at 5 years old. At first, it was just a game that he enjoyed and loved. As he got better, it got more competitive and serious. The season often runs six months or more. There were certain expectations from coaches and from myself that he soon had trouble accepting. There has been much advice on how to overcome the weaknesses and become a "great" player. Getting into shape or losing weight is also a touchy subject. The performance in games often leaves much to be desired. I often wonder if I am putting too much pressure on him. He may not even want to play baseball anymore and is afraid to say anything. Often times, he will clam up and act disinterested.

What to do about anxiety symptoms

If your child exhibits prolonged anxiety symptoms, it is important to find the source and take steps to correct any "fixable" issues. The problems causing the stress can be addressed and usually reversed.