Going through any stressful situation, financial or otherwise can have a negative impact on our ability to cope with the day to day and make wise decisions. It can lower our levels of patience and tolerance, cloud our judgement, make us physically tired and run down and put us in a bad mood. That's why it's so important to get support.

This is never truer than when there are children involved. Children are sensitive to the moods of their parents and even when they don't know or understand what's going on, they know and understand that something is not right and that it doesn't feel good. Don't kid yourself that the children are unaffected by your stress. Children are very perceptive and soak up everything around them. That's why it's generally those times when you are feeling the most tired and stressed that the children will play up or demand a cuddle and some attention. They are simply sensing your inner turmoil, which causes them to feel somewhat distressed and needy.

Although you may think that if your children are older that they will be less affected, that is not necessarily the case. Teenagers react differently and are often unable to identify exactly what they are feeling or define the cause. They're also smarter and have the benefit of years of getting to know you and therefore can sense when you are less likely to hold your ground and more likely to give into them, just to save yourself the battle! The teenage years are a time when belonging and being accepted by their peers is the single most important thing and they tend to withdraw somewhat from their parents in a natural progression towards independence. They are particularly affected by money shortages as it adds to their feelings of insecurity and their fear of not being accepted by peers. When living in a volatile environment, your adolescent's withdrawal is likely to be more extreme as they seek to escape tension and negative feelings. They may also act out and become increasingly defiant or be attracted to new or different peers that parents might consider to be undesirable or inappropriate.

As adults, we find it difficult to cope with changing or difficult circumstances and financial pressures. Many of us struggle to ask for help or to even realise that we need it. If we struggle, it's no wonder that our children react negatively. Of course, coping with a child or teenager's defiant or needy behaviours when we are already overloaded with money worries just adds weight to the burden and increases our anxiety, which in turn, impacts the children.

Don't allow your home to become or remain a stress-zone - for yourself or your children. Don't insist on coping alone or unsupported. People aren't designed to function at their optimum alone. We are designed to work in relationship with others, to lean on each other, help carry one another's burdens and work together towards the greater good. Step up and make a stand for yourself and your family. There is help available, and there is no good going to come from your refusal to seek it. Life is to valuable to spend being worried and agitated. Your family is too important to give anything less than your best to. Your time and energy are far too precious to waste on fear, anxiety and negative feelings. The quicker you resolve your debt problems, the quicker you can restore peace and laughter to your home.

You can end your feelings of exhaustion. You can end the strain and tension. Pick up the phone and call us today and dump the burden on us. From accountant through to counsellor and life coach, the team at Debt Advice can advise and support you through all the stress - from debt problems to parenting strategies to relaxation techniques - and everything in between. Allow yourself some relief. There is always a solution. Hand ball it all to us - then go and take a long soak in the bath!

Call one of the team on (03) 9804 3666