Learning to take care of yourself isn’t something that necessarily comes naturally. If you’re a parent hoping to teach your child great habits early on, it’s important that you model those habits to your child. By letting them see you exercise, get enough sleep, explore the arts, and meditate, you help set them up for healthy lifestyles of their own.
For a closer look at ways to model self-care for your children, check out the following article shared by Major League Mommy.
Helping your child form healthy self-care habits begins with a healthy home. To help your child practice gratitude and meditation, you’ll need safe, quiet spaces where they can relax and feel inspired. To create a healthy home, start with decluttering the chaos and designating specific spaces for healthy activities. For example, you could use a spare room with natural light as a place for meditation. By adding house plants and an essential oil diffuser, you set the mood, giving your child a designated spot in the home where they know they can relax and recharge. Model this healthy habit by using the room for activities like yoga, prayer, and reading.
Making Your Children and Self a Priority
Life with kids gets busy. For this reason, it’s important to make time with your children and your family a priority. Develop a schedule where you set designated times to spend on play and relaxation. In the same way you design those special rooms in your home, having a plan for self-care on paper will help. By incorporating activities like exercising together, going for walks, or exploring nature into your normal routines, you ensure your child will get the time and bonding they need from you.
When setting aside focused time is a challenge, try adding your child into your daily routines like meal prep and doing chores around the house. By making daily chores fun and doing them alongside your child, you’ll not only be teaching them but helping them explore future interests, too.
Identifying Mental Wellness Supports
No matter how hard a parent tries, sometimes a child needs extra help. If your child is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another issue, it’s a good idea to reach out for help through online therapy. You can access mental health services with just a few clicks and avoid the commitment of in-person therapy. This leaves more time at home for your child. Not only that, but online therapy can mean paying less for mental health care and more money for travel or other activities with your kids. Many online therapists offer free consultations to make sure you find the right match for your child.
Making Vacations a Part of Self-Care
For most families, vacation is a time to relax and recharge. But for many parents, it can also be a source of stress. Trying to please everyone while sticking to a budget can be tough. However, vacations don’t have to be expensive or extravagant to be enjoyable. In fact, even just a few days away from home can have benefits. One of the best things about vacation is that it provides a chance to spend quality time with loved ones. Without the distractions of work and daily responsibilities, families can focus on being together and having fun.
Vacations can also be an opportunity to teach children about new experiences. A trip to Disney, for example, can be a magical way to spend time with your family while enjoying everything Disney has to offer. Although it can be intimidating to plan a trip to Disneyland or Disney World, sites like Mouse Life Today can help you put together a Disney vacation that your entire family will remember for years to come.
Even if it’s just a staycation at home, taking some time off from the everyday grind can be restorative for both body and mind. So don’t wait until you can afford that dream trip to take a break – a little self-care might be just what you need.
Modeling self-care practices for your children is important, as it lays the foundation for a healthy lifestyle that extends well into adulthood. So, start by showing them the importance of quality time, explaining that everyone needs a vacation from time to time, and putting an emphasis on mental wellness. With these tips, your child is sure to embrace a healthy lifestyle — with you right there by their side.
Anya Willis is a mother of three and has been a yoga instructor for the past 12 years. She understands that getting kids to be active is no easy feat. She created FitKids.info to help parents find fitness alternatives to keep their kids moving.
