As parents, the lives of your children may seem carefree and joyful. We believe that they do not have to face the harsh realities of the world and can enjoy living inside their bubbles. But this is untrue.
It is inaccurate to believe that children are not going through their own problems and stresses. While they can seem minor to you, they take a mental toll on your child. Instead of letting your kids fend for themselves, you should prioritize their child’s mental health so they can grow in the right direction. Not doing so can scar your child psychologically for years to come. Here are a few ways to support your kids’ mental development.
Talk openly
Establish a dynamic in your family where you encourage your child to talk. When conversing, ensure no topic is treated as untouchable, and listen to your child’s perspective on everything from school days to family problems. Do not only discuss the events of a particular event but also how it made them feel.
Maintaining such a connection with your child will show them that their feelings matter and that they are not neglected. It will ensure that they never hesitate to approach you about anything. They will also understand they are not alone in feeling depressed at times, and adults feel like that too.
Establish healthy lifestyle
One’s lifestyle has a considerable effect on their mental health. If you do not get the proper hours of sleep, diet, or adequate exercise, you will find yourself quickly drained and less motivated. The same applies to children.
To ensure your children do well in school and with friends, have your whole family follow a healthy lifestyle – children will always model their parents. Eat nutritious meals together, go on walks in parks where you can have meaningful conversations, and make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep. In this way, your child will feel more active and eager to learn.
Speak up for your child
Aside from making your child feel safe at home, you also must ensure their mental health is protected in school and extracurriculars. By attending PTAs, you can speak for your kid at school and ensure the school has a welcoming environment that protects your child’s mental well-being rather than burdening it.
Make sure you never ignore problems like bullying or a school’s burdensome practices. You should also ensure the school’s healthcare team routinely checks up on the students. Since your child spends most of their day at school, ensuring a healthy environment helps guarantee their strong mental health.
Stay in touch with professionals
Even if your child is mentally strong and is performing well in social settings, you can still arrange sessions with a therapist like True Abilities. They will provide cognitive assessments of your child’s behaviour which they can use to hone qualities like self-confidence. They can also help your child increase their attention spans and learning abilities. These newly honed traits will help your child excel in school and prove helpful in adult life.
Consulting professionals become all the more necessary if you see your child behaving a little differently from the rest. Neurodiversity in humans is to be celebrated, but professional opinion will ensure that you understand your kid’s world and never cross any lines.
Endnote
In recent years, children have been feeling increased mental health problems. It could be post-pandemic stress, too: after an entire year of online classes with minimal social contact, children are less confident in social settings like school. It’s more important than ever for parents and schools to look after children’s mental health. By supporting and uplifting them, we can help them combat symptoms of anxiety and depression at an early age. When they are mentally strong, they will have the willpower to grow and succeed in life.
Adam Mulligan did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
