Many of the parents I work with are noticing that their child seems to be having trouble coping with the disruption to their schedules. Some children are sad that they don't get to see their friends and teachers; others are sad that they've not been able to go to soccer or swimming lessons; some children are stressed about staying on top of schoolwork.
This has proven to be a challenging time for everyone, and it is important for everyone to practice good mental hygiene (looking after your mind, thoughts and feelings). And children are no exception!Here are a few tips for how you can structure your family time and conversations with children to nurture their mental health:
Be patient
Remember that all childhood behaviours are rooted in a feeling they are processing. For example, if a child is refusing a bath, we have a tendency to believe that they are being naughty or stubborn. Most often, the child might be experiencing an emotion they are unable to process, resulting in a tantrum. In the above example, the child might be anxious about bed time, and know that the bath means bedtime is close. Many therapists use a technique called Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to help parents to analyse their children's behaviour and find solutions. If you would like to discuss this and find out if it's right for your child, contact me for a chat.
Share your own feelings with your child, to encourage them to do the same.
Tell the truth
Model healthy behaviour, like having quiet time, spending some time in the sun away from screens, sharing hugs and cuddles
Follow through with promises. That way, next time you ask them to do something and promise a reward, they will believe you and follow through themselves.
Make play and exercise a requirement
"I am feeling bad today because it was difficult to get everyone up this morning, and I needed to start doing my work. How are you feeling today?"
It can be overwhelming for caregivers to juggle their jobs, managing the household, financial pressures, and getting one or more children through their school curriculum. I hope that some of these strategies will help you to get your child on board, and perhaps that will make everything just a little bit easier.
Megan
Comments