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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cMom, my tummy hurts, I can\u2019t go to school.\u201d This is a sentence many parents hear as they are getting their children ready for school. At this moment, some parents get worried and start thinking that their child\u2019s physical pain is being caused by food or digestion problems, while some feel their child is simply looking for an excuse to not go to school. However, experts signal that the real reason behind a stomach ache in children may not actually be a physical problem, but more of an emotional concern. Howard Schubiner, a Clinical Professor at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, shared that children experiencing stomach pain before school may sometimes be responding to emotional stress rather than a physical problem. \u201cWhen a child is having a tummy ache before going to school, chances are there’s nothing wrong with them. Yeah. Chances are there’s something in their life that they just feel unsafe about,\u201d he said in a recent podcast on Youtube. <\/p>\n 16 Apr 2026 | 10:56<\/p>\n However, this does not mean the child is lying about the tummy ache or pretending to be in pain. The expert emphasized that the connection between emotions and physical sensations is well recognised. \u201cWe have fMRI studies of the brain showing stress and emotions are intimately related to pain. Yeah. I would say the medical profession has a really good awareness in children that stress can cause pain,\u201d Schubiner noted. The expert suggests that young children may not always have the words to explain what they\u2019re feeling. So if you child also says they\u2019re having a tummy ache before school, it may be linked to: It may be that the child is worried about a test, homework, or even scared of a teacher. <\/p>\n Loneliness or friendship problems can lead to social struggles, and can create a type of stress which is difficult to express. Some children put pressure on themselves to perform well and may feel anxious about not being \u201cgood enough.\u201d<\/p>\n A child may avoid sharing what is happening at school but show signs of stress through physical complaints.<\/p>\n The mistake many parents make is that they dismiss the child\u2019s complaint, especially if it happens regularly. However, if a child is regularly complaining, it becomes all the more important that parents address the root cause. While not ignoring the physical difficulty, parents can try to gently open a conversation with their child. Ask them if there\u2019s anything that\u2019s bothering them, did anything happen at school. Parents can also contact school teachers and their child\u2019s classmate if anything happened at school that could be bothering them.In essence, a child\u2019s tummy ache before school may not always be just about the stomach. Sometimes it can be a small signal that they need reassurance, support, and help expressing what they are feeling.<\/div>\nWhat\u2019s one parenting habit you\u2019re proud of?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What parents can do when a child says \u201cMy tummy hurts\u201d
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