Introduction
Today's generation of kids are facing a serious state of depression and anxiety. One of the reasons that kids face so much pressure and nervousness is that they are not getting optimal support. Most of the kids in the nuclear family get left out feeling loneliness and frustration due to not being able to get someone to talk to.
Parents should understand that even if they live alone with the child, it is very beneficial to have regular get-togethers and involve the extended family in support of the child's depression. To know more about the role of extended family and how they can support the child and depression, making things better, read along for further.
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Child And Mental Health
It is important to understand that human beings are social creatures, and they need to take a break, enjoy themselves with others, and socialize to relieve the mental pressure they face alone. Similarly, kids also need support from adults and companionship from their friends and cousins to feel better and relaxed.
There are certain situations a parent can't understand because of the generation gap. In such cases, extended family members such as cousins or siblings of the same age can help the child understand better. Mental health can be devastating to carry on alone, even for an adult. Help your child manage that emotion better with the help of extended family so that everything is stable.
Understanding Childhood Depression
It is important to understand that even a child can fall into a state of depression due to unfavorable environments and unwanted incidents in life, giving them trauma and anxiety. Childhood depression is a very sensitive state for the children to manage properly without any emotional guidance.
Childhood depression can have various signs and symptoms, physical and mental, affecting the overall well-being of a child. Childhood depression should be cured as soon as possible through constant support, and clinical help if required. As childhood depression prolongs any further or is not taken care of in the time. The child can grow up to be schizophrenic in the worst conditions.
What Is An Extended Family?
Extended family is a relationship that doesn't come under direct labels. Extended family does not bypass generation by generation; it is the relationship of people connected with your family as a core.
A closed family consists of parents and children, but extended family relations can be counted as siblings' family or siblings' wife and their children, who are called cousins. Extended family members simply mean that they come under the family tree but are connected through long, complex relationships.
Extended family members are not directly connected and probably live differently. Extended family members are the ones whom the child gets to see once in a while on special occasions, family get together, but not every day. Also, if a family is living together as a joint family with more than 10 or 12 people, consisting of different families, are connected through an extended relationship.
The Role Of Extended Family In Supporting A Child With Depression
Get to understand the role of extended family in supporting a child with depression better through these pointers:
Extended family members can also serve as great friends while giving proper assurance that nothing will go wrong, as the parents already know about the child's connection to the family. It also gives the children a second assurance that their cousins know the problems a child faces on a deep level.
Extended family can give external encouragement even when things are tough. Extended family members can cheer up on the child even when nervous. Extended family can be important in supplying additional resources and support if the parents need help with the children and if the children need someone outside the family to understand their feelings.
Benefits Of Extended Family In Supporting A Child With Depression
Here are a few pointers that will help the parent, and the child understand the benefits of extended family:
Extended family can also help the child attain a new set of friends with whom the family connects as cousins.
Parents can also discuss their child and look out for assurance and other advice through other extended relationships, gaining more experience.
Having an extended family is truly a blessing because it helps families plan relaxed vacations with proper resources and other requirements due to a large group of people helping together.
Conclusion
You know about various important aspects of extended family members along with the understanding of what extended family relations are and how they help the child with depression. Make sure that you include your family when seeking help to better your child. It is important to remember that a family that sticks together always stays together, facing every challenge successfully.
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
