Parents should take care of not only the physical fitness but also the emotional health of children. Emotionally healthy children can surely grow-up into well-balanced individuals. Let us find out what parents can do to raise emotionally healthy children.We keep hearing about cases where the children are not emotionally stable and end up doing unhealthy things. The problem lies in the fact that the parents had not been able to teach them how to be emotionally healthy as a child.
Sometimes it can be problem in the family that affects the child who grows up to become an emotionally unstable person. An increasing number of teenagers are being taken to the psychologist because they cannot deal properly with their
emotions. Such problems emphasize the need for practicing to bring up emotionally healthy children, so that there are no mishaps once they grow up.
Here are some ways by which you can ensure that your upbringing will help your child to be
emotionally healthy.
Do Not Ignore Signs
Kids often get hurt or get into some problem which makes them emotional. They do not always know the full extent of what they are feeling or are unable to express their trouble properly to their parents. Their struggles stay inside them. There are however many signs that can help parents identify that their
kids are hurt emotionally. They should identify them and work towards helping the child express their struggles.
If you get complaints or reports from the school that your kid is not being attentive, or not getting along with other children do not ignore them. You might notice unusual behaviour like throwing
tantrums or refusing to eat or play. These if not dealt with can later have greater effects. Look into these, try to find out what is that your child is struggling with.
Do Not Trivialize It
Lots of parents feel that throwing tantrums or not eating their food is simply a phase and the child will overcome it. In most cases the child does overcome it, by repressing the feelings that gave rise to such behaviour. These however surface when the child grows up which may lead to problems of substance abuse and crimes.
Encourage Children to Share their Feelings
Children are incapable of channelizing their emotions or dealing with them. Parents must make sure that they do not ignore the signs or simply shrug it off. They should sit with the child and talk to them. Try to find out what is it that is bothering your child. Try to make them feel like they can share anything with you. It is your responsibility to handle the
child’s emotional problems at this young age.
Be a Good Listener, Do Not Be Judgemental
Your child needs a person to talk to and share without judgment. Remember that your kid is capable of making a mistake. Do not go all parental and start scolding your child. This will only make them withdraw further in to their self and these will later create emotional problems in them. Children who have parents to talk to are emotionally healthier than parents who do not. the problem might be due to someone close to you, or maybe you or your partner. First listen to what your child has to say. Then try to explain to them.
Help Them Deal with Their Emotions
Teach them how to deal with their emotions. Parents of boys should not insist upon the fact that boys do not cry. If you feel that by crying your child will feel better, let him or her cry, be supportive. Do not be hesitant to take a step that will help solve your child’s emotional problems. If you do not deal with it now, it can turn into an emotional trauma later. If you feel that your child requires psychological help, do not hesitate in talking them to a child psychologist. It is important to address the elephant in the room; you can ignore it and wish it goes away on its own.
Lastly, parents should try to maintain a healthy environment at home. Do not expose your children to your emotional problems. Always try to show them positive things about life.
How to take care of the emotional health of children? What kind of emotional problems do children face? In what ways can parents keep emotional problems away from children? Discuss here.
