Setting A Mental Health Precedent As A Parent
There’s a lot you need to do as a parent. Feed and clothe your children, make sure they’re safe and happy, and most of all, raise them to be healthy people who know how to look after themselves. And of course, we all have different approaches to this role, and parenting varies from person to person, but we can all agree on those principles!
One of the best things to do, as your child gets older and turns into a teen, is to set a healthy mental health precedent. They need to know how to handle this side of their overall health, and it’s very rarely learned naturally. So, with the points below, we hope to help you set such an example, and give your teen everything they need to face the world around them.
Encourage Honesty in Everything You Do
Honesty is the best policy, but when we try to teach that principle to our kids, things can go wrong. After all, what if your child did something ‘naughty’ that you’ve told them off for before? They’re not going to want to be honest if your reaction to such a truth is negative. And knowing this, you can really start to encourage honesty in everything your child tells you.
Give Your Child an Outlet
Giving your child an outlet is all about providing healthy, proactive and productive things to do to care for their mental health. In times of stress and low periods, you’d want your teen to be able to practice a little self care, or turn to a hobby to get their feelings out, but this needs to be encouraged. After all, far too many teens turn to taking such emotions out on themselves.
Think about what your child likes to do. Are they a sporty person who loves to use their energy? Maybe take them running or go for a walk when they’re feeling down. Or if they’re more of a traditionally creative, artsy kind of person, maybe check out these Eva Carlston Academy Reviews, to help give them more structure in that area of their life. It’s all about finding something enjoyable and energy intensive to really get their brain to let loose.
Set a Self Care Example
Self care is something we all take a little differently, but its purpose always remains the same: taking care of yourself to make sure the stresses of a bad day wash right off you. And if you show your children that taking some time for themselves, to do something they enjoy without the world outside peeking in, is a normal thing, they’ll be much more likely to commit to this habit themselves. So, make sure they see you lighting candles or running a long bath, and be sure to explain why such acts are important.
Your children will always benefit from a healthy example of dealing with their mental health. Be sure to provide a safe space for both talking and taking action.
