Feelings & Emotions

Articles In This Section

• Helping Kids Cope With Stress

  Stress from things like school and social situations can feel overwhelming for kids. But by teaching healthy coping strategies, you'll prepare your kids to manage stress.

• Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias

  Experiencing and dealing with anxieties can prepare young people to handle the unsettling experiences and challenging situations of life.

• Developing Your Child’s Self-Esteem

  Self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Here's how you can promote healthy self-esteem in your kids.

• “Am I Pretty?”: What Moms, Daughters Really Think About Looks

  KidsHealth asked thousands of mothers and daughters how they felt about their appearance. Their answers may surprise you.

• Teens Talk About Love (Video)

  Hear teens' take on love, marriage, divorce, dating, and breakups.

• Teens Talk About Stress (Video)

  Here, teens talk about what stresses them out and how they cope.

• Teens Talk About Bullying (Video)

  Hear from teens who've been bullied - and what they did about it.

• 5 Ways to Bully-Proof Your Kid

  Take the target off your kid's back with these smart tips.

• I Love My New Baby. So, Why Am I Sad?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Anxiety Disorders

  Anxiety is a normal part of growing up, and all kids experience it. But when it becomes extreme, it can interfere with a child's overall happiness.

• Competitive Sports: Helping Kids Play it Cool

  Sometimes the pressure to succeed on the field or in the court can be overwhelming. Learn what you can do to help your child keeps things in perspective.

• Natural Disasters: How Families Can Help

  When natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes strike, it's natural for people to want to help. Here are some ways to do that.

• Cyberbullying

  Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. Here are some suggestions on what to do if online bullying has become part of your child's life.

• Becoming a Stepparent

  Stepparenting can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Learn how to cultivate a healthy relationship with your stepkids.

• How Do I Handle the Transition When My Husband Returns From Active Duty?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• How Do I Help My Kids Deal With My Husband’s Deployment?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• My Son Is Being Deployed; How Do I Help My Other Kids Cope?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Cutting

  Cutting isn't new, but this form of self-injury has been in the spotlight more in recent years. Learn more about it and ways to help a teen who cuts.

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder

  For teens, concerns about appearances often take center stage. But if these concerns are all-consuming, cause extreme distress, and keep them from doing and thinking about other things, it may be a sign of a condition called body dysmorphic disorder.

• Raising Confident Kids

  It takes confidence to be a kid. And while each child is a little different, parents can follow some general guidelines to build kids' confidence.

• Postpartum Depression

  It's important for new mothers – and those who love them – to understand the symptoms of postpartum depression and reach out to family, friends, and medical professionals for help.

• Helping Kids Handle Worry

  All kids to worry at times, and some may worry more than others. But parents can help kids manage worry and tackle everyday problems with ease. Find out how.

• Sexual Orientation

  During the teen years, sexual feelings are awakened in new ways because of the hormonal and physical changes of puberty. It takes time for many kids to understand who they are and who they're becoming. Part of that understanding includes a person's sexual feelings and attractions.

• When a Pet Dies

  For most kids, pets are more than just animals – they're members of the family. So it can be heartbreaking to lose one. Here's how to help kids cope.

• What Kids Say About: Handling Stress

  In a KidsHealth® KidsPoll, kids talked about what they stress about the most, how they cope with these feelings, and how they want parents to help.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder

  A person with SAD typically experiences symptoms of depression as winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter.

• Separation Anxiety

  Teary and tantrum-filled goodbyes are common with separation anxiety, which is a perfectly normal part of childhood development.

• Taking Your Child to a Therapist

  Kids, like adults, can often benefit from therapy – but there are many important things to consider as you look for the right therapist.

• Is Your Child Too Busy?

  Some kids have too much to do and not enough time to do it. Is your child too busy?

• Traveling Without Your Child

  Here's how to prepare kids before you leave so that you both feel more comfortable when you need to travel without them.

• How Can Spirituality Affect Your Family’s Health?

  Can spirituality promote a healthier physical life for your family? Recent medical studies indicate that spiritual people exhibit less stress and a greater total life satisfaction.

• Eating Disorders

  Eating disorders are common among teens and kids, especially young women. Read about the warning signs, prevention strategies, and ways to help a child with an eating disorder.

• Tips for Divorcing Parents

  No guide can guarantee a way to steer kids unscathed through a divorce. Every situation - and every family - is different. But these commonsense guidelines might make the adjustment a bit easier.

• Preparing Your Child for a Move

  Disruptive as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more traumatic for kids. Here's how to make moving less stressful for the whole family.

• School Violence and the News

  As terrible and frightening as incidents of school violence are, they are rare. But it's natural for kids to worry. How can you help them deal with these fears?

• Sibling Rivalry

  As upsetting as it can be for a parent, conflict between siblings is very common. Here's how to help your kids get along.

• Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling

  The arrival of a new baby can cause lots of changes. But parents can prepare kids for an addition to the family.

• Helping Your Child Through a Divorce

  By minimizing the stress a divorce creates, being patient as everyone adjusts to the new situation, and responding openly and honestly to your kids' concerns, you can help them through this difficult time.

• Childhood Stress

  Being a kid doesn't always mean being carefree - even the youngest tots worry. Find out what stresses kids out and how to help them cope.

• Helping Kids Deal With Bullies

  Unfortunately, bullying is a common part of childhood. But parents can help kids cope with it and lessen its lasting impact.

• Understanding Depression

  Depression is the most common mental health disorder in the U.S. If you think your child is depressed, you'll want to learn more about what depression is, what causes it, and what you can do to help.

• Questions and Answers About Sex

  Answering kids' questions about sex is a responsibility many parents dread. But by answering these questions honestly, parents can help foster healthy feelings about sex.

• Helping Your Child Deal With Death

  It can be difficult to know how to help kids cope with a death, particularly as you work through your own grief. Here are a few important things to consider.

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  Kids and teens who live through a traumatic event can develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Healing is possible with the help of professional counseling and support from loved ones.

• Teaching Your Child Tolerance

  Teaching tolerance is important - the differences that come from living in a melting pot enrich our culture, bringing new ideas and energy. And people who are open to differences have more opportunities in education, business, and so many other ways.