How do I handle tummy aches that are really nerves about class? 

Parenting Perspective 

When your child clutches their stomach each school morning, complaining of feeling sick, it is easy to assume the cause is purely physical, until a clear pattern emerges. The tummy aches may fade shortly after they settle at school or vanish completely on weekends. What is really happening is that your child’s nervous system is communicating through the body. Anxiety often manifests as real physical pain, such as tense muscles, a tight stomach, or a racing heart, especially in children who find it difficult to name or express their worries verbally. 

The goal is not to prove that they are not ill, but to help them connect their bodily sensations with their emotions. This teaches them that nervous feelings can be managed rather than feared. When you treat the underlying anxiety with calm compassion, your child learns to listen to their body instead of hiding from what it is trying to tell them. 

Acknowledge the Sensation First 

Avoid saying, ‘You are not really sick,’ as this can make a child feel dismissed and misunderstood. Instead, it is important to validate both their physical sensations and their feelings: ‘I know your tummy hurts right now. Sometimes our tummies can feel sore when we are feeling worried about something.’ This recognition builds trust, as they feel understood, not accused. 

Name the Connection Between Body and Emotion 

Gently help your child to connect what they are feeling emotionally and physically: ‘Your tummy muscles can get tight when your worry brain is busy. It is your body’s way of saying that you need a moment of calm.’ Teaching this link helps children to recognise the physical symptoms of anxiety as signals, not as something dangerous. 

Create a Calming Pre-Class Routine 

Morning anxiety often peaks during transitions. Adding a short, grounding ritual to the routine before leaving for school can be very effective. 

• Slow, deep breathing exercises, such as ‘smell the flower, blow out the candle’. 

• Light stretching to help relax tense muscles. 

• Listening to a short nasheed or calming music on the way to school. 

A predictable routine turns chaos into certainty, which is one of the best ways to soothe an anxious nervous system. 

Avoid Prolonged Comfort Battles 

The more you argue or repeatedly offer reassurance, the more attention the worry receives, which can inadvertently reinforce it. It is better to keep your responses warm but brief: ‘I know it feels uncomfortable, but we can still do difficult things. I will see you after class.’ Your calm confidence teaches their brain that the situation is safe and that they can handle it. 

Equip Them with a Coping Phrase 

Give your child a short sentence that they can repeat to themselves during anxious moments. Examples include, ‘It is just my worry tummy. I am safe right now,’ or ‘I can feel nervous and still go to class.’ Rehearse these phrases together until they become a familiar mental shield. 

Explore Potential Underlying Triggers 

Sometimes, general ‘class nerves’ can hide more specific issues, such as social worries, academic pressure, or a fear of being embarrassed. It is helpful to explore this gently during calm, relaxed times: ‘Is there anything particular at school that makes your tummy hurt more?’ Understanding the root cause allows you to guide them effectively, rather than just guessing. 

Spiritual Insight 

Understanding Anxiety Through Faith 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ra’ad (13), Verse 28: 

‘ Those people who are believers, and attain serenity of their hearts with the remembrance of Allah (Almighty); indeed, it is only with the remembrance of Allah (Almighty) that one can (and does) find peace of mind and heart.‘ 

This verse reminds us that true peace begins from within. When the heart finds rest in the remembrance of Allah, the body often follows. You can gently guide your child to take deep breaths while saying short words of dhikr, such as ‘SubhanAllah’ or ‘Ya Salaam’. These small acts connect the calmness of the body with the peace of the heart. 

The Prophetic Care for Holistic Wellbeing 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 2489, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Ask Allah for forgiveness and health, for no one is given anything better after certainty (faith) than health.’ 

This hadith highlights the deep harmony between spiritual and physical wellness. When your child feels the pain of anxiety, reminding them to seek calm through faith and trust in Allah is an act of both emotional care and spiritual healing. 

Encourage your child to whisper a short, simple du’a before class, such as: ‘Ya Allah, make my heart strong and my tummy calm.’ This simple act replaces a feeling of helplessness with a sense of reliance on Allah Almighty. Over time, they will learn that anxiety is not an enemy, but a signal to pause, breathe, and remember Who is ultimately in control. Through your calm support and faith-filled language, they will carry that peace far beyond the school gates.