Encourage kids to talk to teachers at the first sign of an
to talk to teachers at the first sign of an academic
problem, instead of waiting for things to get worse.
Asking for help from older adults is an important life
skill, and self-advocacy is usually rewarded.
8) Keep social commitments in balance. We
all know kids who keep their social calendars booked,
rarely taking any down time. Try to remember that
self-care is taught rather than innate, and don’t allow
your child’s hyper-social friends to make them feel like
they are constantly missing out. Be especially mindful if
your child has friends who don’t have enough parental
guidance. For some kids, having a few close friends and
hanging out one-on-one may be better than being part
of an extended group that thrives on social drama.
Make sure your child knows what “me time” means
from a young age onward by setting a good example
and helping prioritize self-care.
9) Be alert for bullying. Sometimes aggression
between children is so subtle that parents don’t pick up
on it. Furthermore kids who are being bullied may not
realize it, or if they do, they may be ashamed to confide
in parents or other adults. When your kids are younger,
volunteer at school once in a while and check out the
social dynamics. Even children who have known each
other for years can suddenly turn on each other,
especially if they sense popularity is at stake. With
tweens and teens make sure to regulate screen time,
social media use and check devices regularly. Make sure
you train kids in empathy and assertiveness and
reinforce those lessons, especially during the tween and
teen years.
10) Watch for red flags. If your child has an
appropriate schedule but is still showing signs of being
disengaged or not wanting to get out of bed in the
morning, get some help. As parents, we may not have
all of the resources our children need at our fingertips,
and there is no shame in this. If your child is suffering
from depression or anxiety, talk to a health care
professional. Your general practitioner or family
physician can ask the right questions and discuss
treatment options to get your child back on track.
Childhood anxiety and depression are on the rise,
especially during the ages when kids leave home to
attend college. Make sure your child is ready for that
transition by instilling a positive attitude and
encouraging slow and steady momentum that will pay
off during the first twelve years of school and beyond.
Journalist Christina Katz has given her fair share of pep
talks and lent plenty of shoulders to cry on. Parenting has
taught her that life is Wabi-Sabi and isn’t likely to become
perfect any time soon.
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