Independence & Creativity

Social distancing and summertime. As we continue to spend more time with our families, we might feel our children “need” us to fill their time. However, allowing them time to themselves to facilitate the creative and innovative part of the brain, can help strengthen their independence and leave you feeling a little less overwhelmed.

P.S. Alone time does not have to mean device time.

Give it a read [or a 12 minute listen]! Let Kids Occupy Themselves

What is Within Your Control During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

49 Calming Phrases

This is an incredibly helpful tool!!!  Print it out to keep on hand.

49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

 

Teens and Anxiety Today

In case you have noticed this increasing trend and were wondering:

10 Reasons Teens Have So Much Anxiety Today

1. Electronics offer an unhealthy escape
   • Constant connection
   • No delayed gratification
2. Happiness is all the rage
   • It is okay to feel other emotions!
3. Parents are giving unrealistic praise
   • The intention comes from a place of well-meaning, but this actually places pressure on children.
4. Parents are getting caught up in the rat race
   • Overscheduling children…it’s a thing.
5. Kids are not learning emotional skills
6. Parents view themselves as protectors rather than guides
   • “Consequently, these kids have grown up to believe they are too fragile to cope with the realities of life.”
   • Allow Children to Learn and Grow Through Risk
7. Not knowing how to face fears
8. Parents are parenting out of guilt and fear
9. Kids are not being given enough free time to play
10. Family hierarchies are out of whack
    • As much as they push boundaries, children need/desire rules.  They also need to know they can count on their parents to be leaders.

Teaching resiliency and gratitude can help children and teens combat against anxiety.  As much as we want to protect them from hurt and pain, allow them to learn how to deal with these emotions under your guidance.  They will be better for it in the long run.

Calming Techniques

A lot of great options: 50 Calm-Down Techniques to Try with Kids!

Technology & Children

With the rise of the number of children receiving personal phones, we have seen a substantial increase in mental health disorders in children and teens.  They are hanging out with friends less, sleeping less, and more likely to feel lonely.  Sleeping is critical to anyone’s mental well-being but especially that of developing brains.

Victoria Prooday (a psychotherapist, founder and clinical director of a multidisciplinary clinic for children and parents) points out children are being deprived of the fundamentals of a healthy childhood, such as:

• Emotionally available parents
• Clearly defined limits and guidance
• Responsibilities
• Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
• Movement and outdoors
• Creative play, social interaction, opportunities for unstructured times and boredom

Instead, children are being served with:

• Digitally distracted parents
• Indulgent parents who let kids “Rule the world”
• Sense of entitlement rather than responsibility
• Inadequate sleep and unbalanced nutrition
• Sedentary indoor lifestyle
• Endless stimulation, technological babysitters, instant gratification, and absence of dull moments     (<<<<<THIS!!!!)

These two articles give wonderful ideas on how to turn these scary statistics around:

The Silent Tragedy Affecting Today’s Children

The Scary Truth About What’s Hurting Our Kids