Teens are ditching the stress, trying to relive a simpler time in their childhood: less stress, no homework, just fun.

  Many students find themselves reminiscing and wishing everything could slow down and go back to how it used to be. 

  “One thing I miss is being able to not worry about everything,” Michael Basile, junior, said.

  Some ways students have been trying to ditch the stress are by using many toys and squishies.

  “Many students use toys like NeeDohs or other fidget toys…I think it is a way to alleviate anxiety or to help with focus by keeping their hands busy,” Kristine Co, child development teacher, said.

  Some feel the pressure to “act your age” is difficult, as people grow older, expectations get higher, and the pressure to please parents also increases.

  “I think social media and peer pressure definitely play a part. But if you have strong values and convictions, you’re less likely to be influenced by that,” Co said.

  Younger children tend to look up to teenagers as role models and want to experience what it’s like to be “cool”. However, looking back, some teens feel that children shouldn’t rush to grow up but instead enjoy their time while it’s still easy.

“They are just missing out on their childhood, especially the whole concept of not caring what other people think. I think they’re missing out on that freedom to do whatever you want and have fun with it,” Genevieve Berg, senior, said.

  A way children tend to try to act older is by wearing makeup, but many find that they should not be allowed to wear it, and leave it to the older kids.

  “ I feel like wearing makeup is not okay because some of those products may have an everlasting effect on their self-image,” Cassie Wilmoth, sophomore, said.

 Part of the pressure is from wanting to fit in and be accepted, but that leads to these trends.

  Basile feels that people need to “stop worrying about what you may think other people might think of you.”Instead, children should act like children and teenagers can be able to still enjoy their youth and act the way they feel is most comfortable to them without the judgment and pressures experienced day-to-day. 

  “We could as a whole society try and be less judgmental of other people and what they like and try to embrace individuality in a person,” Wilmoth said.