We have seen parents worrying about their children’s physical health a lot. They take them out in the park for a walk, they encourage them to play sports, and even the schools focus a lot on the physical activities of the students. Now where all of this is great, there’s another fact that people need to focus on, and that is the children’s mental health.
Yes, you read that, right! With all the growing cases of depression and suicides, it’s high time for parents and teachers to talk about mental health and its importance. According to EDC’s Mary Mackrain, “Early mental health is like building a solid foundation to a house”.
We’ve seen people avoiding talks on mental health because they are ashamed of it. What they need to realize is that there’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to talking about mental issues.
Speaking of which, today, this is what we are here to talk about. We are going to jot down some of the most useful and effective tips that you are supposed to follow in order to improve your child’s mental health.
Take notes, especially if you are one of those parents who want nothing but the best for their child.
1] Talk To Your Child
One of the most important things to do is to talk to your child. There’s nothing as important in the world than this. There are parents out there who don’t have the time to have a conversation with their little ones because they are too busy in their work routines.
Well, this is where the problem lies! Even with a tough routine, you should still sit down with your little one and talk to him about your day, listen to how his/her day was, and let them speak to you about their friends and teachers, etc. Remember, there’s always a message in the minor details that your child wants to tell you.
2] Recognize Effort
Mental health is not about taking your little one for therapy or a session where his confidence can be boosted. In fact, it’s more about the little efforts that he makes on a daily basis, and it’s about recognizing those efforts.
Real confidence comes when you reward your children or appreciate them for their everyday efforts. It can be anything, from sharing food with other siblings to bringing you a glass of water when you are tired.
3] Modeling Good Behavior
Have you ever heard someone say, “you are your child’s best teacher?”. Well, guess what! This is very true and the things you do on a daily basis in front of your children, they matter a lot.
One of the biggest things you can do for your child’s mental health is not to fight in front of them. Yes, you read that, right!
There are parents who don’t realize how their problems and their relationship is messing up the lives of their children. So, try modeling good behavior and try to do things that you want your children to do too.
Coping With Hodgkin Lymphoma: Mindfulness and Stress Reduction for Improved Quality of Life4] Talk About Mental Health
The best thing to do is to talk about mental health with your child when he has grown up enough to understand. Tell him that there’s nothing to be worried about and that it’s normal to talk about something that you are going through.
Conclusion
These are the best tips that can help you improve your children’s mental health. Use these tips, and we assure you that you won’t have to face the pain most parents have to when their children are suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental issues.
1 Comment
I absolutely love this. But before you start focusing on the mental health of your children, focus on your own… 🙂