Self-care for kids

Start training your kids early on the importance of staying away from their devices (Photo: Shutterstock)

The importance of helping kids practice self-care is still something that needs to be talked about in the parenting community. Many parents don’t realize the impact of ignoring their child’s self-care needs and this negatively impacts their children's lives.

All parents need to encourage this concept because it contributes largely to a child’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

All you need is a simple set of tips on how you can go about it and you will be amazed at the results. 

1. Limit screen time

So many people have been vocal about the negative impacts of too much screen time. Even adults struggle to get off their phone and this has been linked to so many mental health problems.

Start training your kids early on the importance of staying away from their devices often so that they don’t end up getting addicted.

They won’t realize how deep the effects are so you have to take control of the situation and be strict on screen time management.

2. Encourage time with the family

Very few families take time to sit down together and enjoy each other’s company. Traditionally, families would gather at the dinner table and talk about their day over a meal but in these modern times, that culture is slowly fading away.

Family time is important for everyone and you should instill the same value in your kids by spending more time together. If they’ve had a hard day at school, at least they can come back home to a place where they’re surrounded by people who love them.

3. Have one-on-one talk

There are times where you need to spend time with your kids individually. When you’re always in a group setting, it’s hard to get to know what every one of them is going through at, at an individual level.

Create specific times where you give each child full attention as you catch up with them. Kids always want their parents to notice and appreciate them.

4. Help them make friends

Children these days don’t spend as much time outdoors as they used to. They like to spend hours on end watching TV or using their phones and that comes with negative impacts.

They develop social skills by spending time with friends and if they’re always alone, they’ll have a hard time in future and may end up turning into loners.

It’s good for them to spend time with family but, having friends is just as important.

5. Be firm with bedtimes

Being sleep deprived increases stress levels and reduces concentration levels. They won’t understand why they’re always feeling unsettled and fussy and not getting enough sleep is a huge reason why many kids feel the way they do.

Don’t just let them have control over what time they want to sleep unless it’s the weekend or school holidays, maybe.

Something as simple as a proper sleep schedule significantly improves a person’s emotional wellbeing.

6. Work on therapy strategies

This is a building block for developing healthy coping mechanisms.

When they’re having a hard time, encourage them to paint or draw their feelings, get them a journal so they can write it down or even singing it out.

You’ll have helped them learn how to process their emotions and cope in a healthy way.