Children nowadays are under various kinds of stress. Environmental factors, academics, peer pressure, and personal problems can contribute to a lot of pressure on their mental health. Also, as their days are packed with tuitions and engagements, kids get even less time to unwind and relax at the end of a day.
Instead of playing with their parents or friends, they prefer digital leisure as a solution to their fatigue. This often causes distance and communication gaps between children and parents. Also, as kids grow up and enter adolescence, they prefer asserting their individuality and independence.
They may prefer speaking their hearts out to somebody less authoritative or familiar to get neutral resolutions. In such cases, it is imperative to maintain and develop a healthy support system to improve your child’s mental well-being. Here is a quick guide to building a support network for your child’s mental health.
Children follow their parents closely and model their actions and behaviors. So, it is important to practice what you preach. Let them know that it is normal to need and seek help at times and that it is completely normal. Practice and develop this habit at home by asking them for help with small chores, like buying groceries or dusting the living room. You can also take them along when volunteering or helping others. The amazing feeling of helping others to make their lives easier will keep them coming back for more. It will also make asking for help easier in the future.
Your child may be very close to you and will take your help and advice on everything. However, as they grow up, it becomes vital for them to handle problems and make decisions on their own as well. You will always be there to help and make the final choice, but it is healthy for kids to seek others who can offer help, advice, and support. This can be from their teachers, friends, or mentors. Guide them to make the right choice in these cases when they come to you.
Children need to widen their social circle and meet more people as they grow up. This helps them evolve and get more opportunities in life. Introduce them to community volunteering or take them to their choice of activity centers like libraries and swimming pools. This will make it easier for them to meet like-minded individuals who share similar interests and offer good advice.
Parents need to hone and nurture their kid’s passions. Your child may be gifted in music or sports or possess an extraordinary vocabulary. But they will bloom and achieve their highest potential only if they are engaged and mentored in it regularly. For example, if your child adores pets, then take them to animal shelters or clinics and let them volunteer. Or, if your child is into sports, arrange a small informal interview with a local sports coach. This will help your child get acquainted properly before practicing and playing professionally. Such mentors guide kids well about their respective passions under your watchful eye.
It is ideal to keep close relationships with relatives and close kin. You have the liberty to choose and maintain cordial and frequent contact with those that align with your parenting goals and child’s support needs. It will not only keep them in touch with their relatives and loved ones but will also create lasting bonds and relationships. For example, take your children to their grandparents every week to help build a healthy and secure support system.
Teach your kids to be open-minded and not harbor prior judgment when interacting with people. If they help and remain kind, so will many others. This helps maintain a chain of kindness and support. For example, your child may help an old lady cross the road to her house one day. On a particularly rainy afternoon, she might offer your kid shelter or at least an umbrella when nobody else does. So, it is ideal to be kind and offer help. You may never know who has their back and supports them when the time comes. This is the power of compassion and connection among humans.
Support systems are like Rome. Neither was nor can be built in a day. It takes time, effort, and sincere kindness to foster support and healthy connections with people. Socializing and checking in on close ones is key to developing a healthy support system for kids. So, give the above tips a try to form a positive support network for your kids, to seek help on a rainy day.