One for the parents …. In a world full of demands, expectation, social media, popularity tv etc etc our children (and indeed us adults!) can lose their sense of self. Tune in to your little ones; listen to what they are telling you and acknowledge the validity of their opinions, fears, concerns, goals, passions and motivations. Don’t dampen their spirit … keep their spirits high with your unwavering support and encouragement to be just who they are 🌟🌟🌟
It’s funny how we forget to parent kids in the NOW and constantly push them into some FUTURE. . But we often forget that children have identities. And to build that identity, they need to be played with, talked to and talked with about their feelings. They need to feel understood. . These things help in building a child’s resilience and total well-being.
Tell a friend to tell a friend that a child’s happiness and mental health is so much more important than the grades that they achieve
Ways to nurture a child’s mental health
- Actively listen before offering your advice
- Be patient
- Share your feelings and validate theirs
- Tell the truth
- Model healthy behavior
- Be consistent and follow through with what you promise
- Believe them and in them
- Practice relaxation exercises together
- Recognize positive choices
- Set and respect boundaries
- Reach out and hug them
- Make play and exercise a requirement
- Limit electronic time for everyone
- View their behavior as a window to their needs and feelings
- Have scheduled Family time
- Respond calmly when their emotions are elevated
- Be present
- Model forgiveness
- Use open ended questions
- Teach them how to be safe
- Surround them with healthy adults