Experiencing stress is part of life for adults and children. Stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause, such as being yelled at by a frustrated sibling or forgetting to bring an important paper to school. Feelings of stress are natural mechanisms for human survival and success. These feelings are the body’s way of sending a warning when there is a threat and pointing your attention to problems that need to be addressed. A stressor can be one-time or ongoing.  Anxiety is the body’s reaction to stress and can occur even if there is no current threat. If anxiety persists, it can begin to interfere with everyday life and impact your child’s health. As a parent or those in a parenting role, you can assist your child in learning to identify and manage their stress- a critical skill they will use for a lifetime.