As parents, we are constantly talking about the virus and the pandemic. We wonder when there is going to be an end to this misery. When are our kids going to get the joy of playing in a garden and enjoy physical school? Are our kids at risk in the second wave?
One thing we forget to talk about is the mental well-being of kids. Isn't that the most worrying? While there is a pandemic in the world, we are facing the pandemic of disrupted mental health all over the world and most of the time we don't know how to help our loved ones.
How Can Parents Nurture A Child's Mental Health?
- Help children build strong, caring relationships with the family and people around them.
- Help children build their self-esteem, so they can feel good about themselves.
- Parents must learn how to listen to their children and respect their feelings.
- Create a safe environment for your children.
- Be a role model by taking care of your mental health: Talk about your feelings. Make time for things you enjoy.
- In difficult situations, help children and youth solve problems.
- Teach your child how to relax when they feel upset. This could be deep breathing, doing something calming (such as a quiet activity they enjoy), taking some time alone, or going for a walk.
- Talk about possible solutions or ideas to improve a situation and how to make it happen. Try not to take over.
We spoke to Samir Dalwai about mental health with kids. Scroll down to watch the entire interview to know his suggestions on how to tackle this problem in the pandemic.
Parul Gupta
Rati Ramadas Girish
Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
