Your kids need to know how to take care of themselves, and as they grow, it’s your job as a parent to show them how to do things like cooking and cleaning up after themselves. However, we all know it’s not that simple! You can try to teach your children all manner of things, but whether they retain the information can seem completely up to chance.
But one of the best things to teach your kids is the value of self care, both for their own benefit, and because learning how all about self care is actually a lot of fun. And we all know how kids respond to fun things they can have a laugh with: they’ll always remember it!
And self care is simply just an important life skill to have in your arsenal. Knowing how to treat yourself right after long and hard days will make these days much easier, and help to promote better mental wellbeing. And truly, that’s all we want for our kids! So without further ado, here are a few of the best methods to teach your kids how valuable self care really is.
Always Make it Fun!
As noted above, kids love to have fun, and it’s how they pay the most attention. So when you’re trying to teach them about the value of self care, and common ways to apply it, you’re going to want to keep all conversations and activities enjoyable.
So while you may like taking a bath to unwind, there’s a good chance your 7 year old won’t think the same way! They’d much rather be playing outside, or with their toys, or chowing down on tasty snacks, and these are all good ideas to keep in mind. Why?
Because kids approach life in a much different way – they have a simple lens, and they rely on their own imaginary world to make the day much, much more fun! And that’s how you’ll most effectively show them that they need to take time for themselves every now and then.
Follow more imaginative, creative pursuits to get them to listen up, and take the lesson to heart. So try to invest in their favorite things to do, and during these activities, explain to them why using their coloring book or going on a bike ride is so fun.
Make Yummy Yet Healthy Treats
Kids need to know what foods are good for them. Of course, this is one of the hardest jobs in the world as a parent, because we all know just how disgusting healthy foods can taste! And when you’re young, and your taste buds are much more honed in on bitter tastes, boiled and roasted vegetables rarely make it down the gullet!
However, if you know how to prepare green and leafy vegetables with plenty of other flavor packed in, it’s much easier to promote just how good such foods are for you. For example, you can really bring out the sweetness in a carrot by mixing it with other sweet vegetables, such as red bell peppers.
And when your kids are chowing down on foods that are actually good for them, you can tell them plenty of tips for better gut health; they’ll love getting to know how the veggies on their plate react when in their stomach. Kids are naturally curious, after all, and that’s something you’ll encourage well here!
Encourage Them Away From the Screen
We all know that a good movie can help us to calm down and enjoy an evening; lounging on the sofa with some nice snacks in hand and your favorite Rom-Com on the TV can be an absolute dream of an end to the day! However, kids need more than a screen in front of them.
Kids spend a lot of time in front of screens throughout the day, especially in the last 10 years or so. Even children as young as 8 can spend at least 6 hours a day glued to a computer or TV screen, and that’s not something we want to encourage more of! Yes, it’s fun to spend time on Youtube, or playing games on your console, but there are better ways to spend your time.
Instead, give them more things to do, that you’ll also be around to interact in. Make these things fun, and creative, and even a bit challenging, to really capture your child’s interest. And while you’re all outside together taking a trowel to the plant beds, or you’re all enjoying a family game night with each other, talk about how screens can affect your health, and how important it is to take time away from websites like social media.
Give Them Some Time
Finally, self care is all about taking some time for yourself when the world outside is making you feel bad, and that’s a very important thing to explain to your children. If they’re of the right age, they deserve to know that they’re allowed to have privacy, and time on their own, and they don’t need to be told what to do or be at someone’s beck and call at all times.
It’s why most kids are allowed to have their own bedrooms in the first place. It’s somewhere for them to go to be unbothered by others, and where they can keep all of their own things safe and sound. And if they already understand the purpose of a room that’s theirs, it won’t be hard to explain this further!
Is Self Care Important in Your Household?
Self care is something we all need to learn how to do, to maximise its effectiveness. Because it’s not just ‘taking a day’ every now and then – it’s about knowing why you need this time, and what best to do with it to make you feel healthier and happier. And kids pick up things easily, so it’s best to teach them this concept when they’re young and have time to practice at it!
