awesomescopeAs parents, we can all appreciate the importance of providing our children with three healthy meals a day and ensuring they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. We all want the best for our children, in terms of their health and wellbeing, but could it be that we are neglecting to care for their mental health as much as we should, and instead tend to focus on their physical health? Of course, we don’t mean to do this on perhaps, it’s just often difficult to understand what’s involved in ensuring a little person is mentally healthy. I’ve teamed up with a prep school in Belgravia to share some advice on how to support your child’s mental health.
Encourage Open Communication
Make sure your child knows that you are there for them to talk to whenever anything might be troubling them. Provide a home environment in which open communication is something you are all comfortable with. You can achieve this by sharing your own thoughts and feelings with your child so that they know it’s a safe space, as well as avoiding judgement if they do open up to you about something that you my feel uncomfortable with.
Take Them Seriously
When your child talks to you, take them seriously. Don’t shut them down or shrug them off; listen to what they have to say and then proceed to share some constructive advice. Showing an interest in what they have to say and helping them accordingly will help them feel better about whatever’s going on.
Reduce the Pressure
Try and avoid putting too much pressure on your child. Doing so will make them feel stressed and anxious. For instance, if they have exams coming up, remind them that you are proud of them for trying their best, rather than nagging them to get good grades.
Boost their Confidence
When your child is talking about their goals, try and help them be realistic with their own expectations of themselves so that they don’t feel overwhelmed. Help them understand what they are capable of and give them a confidence boost from time to time.
