The child’s physical needs such as food, clothing, sleeping schedule, and playtime are what parents usually identify easily. But what’s similarly relevant may not be as noticeable and could even be left unattended at times – your child’s emotional and mental health. The soundness of the children’s mental health would allow them to direct their minds towards someone or something leading to the development of their social skills and to learn new things.
Mental health has become an even more crucial matter, especially for our children, as the world suffers the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic such as the loss of someone, quarantine, and isolation, social distancing, and the disruption of normal family and social activities. These crises would still take a toll on them even if they remain healthy all along.
It is a fact though that the children are smarter, tougher, and more resilient than we thought them to be. However, we cannot afford to leave their mental health uncared for. Below are eight ways for you to support your child’s mental well-being.
1. Give children unconditional love.
Love is the cornerstone of family life. When children are loved unconditionally, they will realize that they are loved not because of their accomplishments and that their mistakes and failures will not make them less loved or less accepted. Unconditional love will enroot confidence in your child and it is also love that makes it grow and bloom.
2. Teach kids to recognize and verbalize their feelings.
Kids need to learn how to identify what they truly feel and to express those feelings in words, especially by speaking out loud. You can make it possible by teaching them as they grow various words regarding different kinds of emotions and make it relatable by drawing out examples when those feelings were personally experienced by the kids themselves and others.
Your kids must know that feeling on their own is never “bad” and that it is only the person’s actions that make it so. Sometimes, kids confuse their feelings as something of a problem or are considered bad when in fact it is the context that produced it that is the real problem. Kids must realize that our feelings are like road signs which we ought to understand and listen to make those useful. These can even direct us in the right direction and guide us to the things we need to do.
Make your kids recognize even the negative and shameful feelings to normalize and make healthy even the most difficult feelings. Anger is even a relevant emotion when kids know how to deal with it and when it makes them aware that things are not always happy as it could sometimes be hurtful. The recognition of these unpleasant feelings can improve their problem-solving skills.
3. Understand your child’s overall actions and behaviour.
The saying that “actions speak louder than words” is also true to your children whose actions or behaviour, more than words, can often reveal that they have problems. For instance, if you observed that your child gets into trouble often, it is probable that he may have problems or needs emotional support moving forward. Again, this highlights the importance for your child to be able to express their feelings since it is counterproductive if they could not tell you what is going on.
4. Empathize with your child.
Do not get angry right away or give your child advice without having listened to their side first. Listening to your kids will make them trust you and will eventually make them more open to listening to whatever advice you will give. Try to put yourself into your children’s shoes especially when they are upset and take in their point of view. Those feelings must be validated regardless of whether or not you agree with them. Recognizing their emotions can improve their acceptance of the fact that there could be varying views of a situation, and that they do not need to react more defensively. Of course, this will not absolve them from the consequences of their actions. But accepting their feelings will go a long way.
5. Encourage your children to play.
Playtime is not just to let your children have fun. It is an integral part of their overall development in as much as food and good care is. Playing will teach your kids creativity, problem-solving skills, self-control, and social skills. It is beneficial for both their physical and mental health.
When children play together, they will feel a sense of belongingness, get along with other people, and then uncover their true strengths and weaknesses. But parents can join the fun, too. Playing with a child is a chance to spend quality time together and the sharing of ideas. Though most games are goal-oriented, your kids must realize that having fun through participation is much more important than winning.
6. Guide and discipline your kids appropriately.
As your children explore the world and gain relative independence, they must also understand that their actions bear consequences and that they must take responsibility for whatever repercussion an undesirable behaviour would produce.
Make reasonable household rules and make them known to your kids as part of the family unit. Guide them as they grow. Keep them in check and be fair and consistent when you discipline them. With this environment at home, your children will understand that the world has its laws and consequential penalties. Eventually, they will bring this consciousness into the workplace and prepare them mentally.
When you discipline your child, be unyielding but affectionate and with grounded expectations. In finding fault, focus on the behaviour and not the child so that he will know that it is his action and not him that is censured. Of course, be a good model yourself for your child to emulate. Children tend to copy what they see in their parents and environments.
7. Teach your kids that strength and struggle are normal.
One important life lesson that your child needs to know is that, like everyone else, he will also experience a time of strength and a time of difficulty. Struggling is part of life and there is no shame in it. But when the struggle into something becomes extra taxing, you may direct your child to learn other things as these may uncover his natural skills and passion. As he builds his strength in these, your child’s self-esteem is also tempered.
Other great ways to build your kid’s skills are through leisure activities, counselling, social groups, coaching, and mentoring. A counsellor, for example, can teach your child how to cope up with things they are struggling with. These coping skills can facilitate their growth and development. Also, they will realize the value of confiding with people when things get out of hand. And that instead of thinking that there is something wrong with them, they will understand that it is an opportunity for them to grow stronger and more confident.
8. Get them professional help if needed.
Mental health issues are real. Anxiety and depression, among other issues, can inch their way to your child and they pose serious consequences if left unattended. Usually, parents and other family members are the first to become aware of the child’s emotional or behavioural problems.
Talk to your doctor if you believe something is wrong with your child. A virtual walk-in clinic Hamilton takes appointments for consultations and appropriate professional intervention. Your child’s mental health matters.
Mental health is a serious matter and is as important as your child’s physical wellbeing. To improve your kid’s mental health, it is important to embrace them with unconditional love, teach them to recognize and verbalize their feelings, understand their overall actions and behaviour, and always empathize. Children should also be encouraged to play, be guided and disciplined appropriately, be taught that strength and struggles are normal, and finally, be provided with professional help if needed.