I find research and reports very interesting as they either confirm an issue I was aware of or they provide me with information that I had no knowledge of previously. I like to read positive articles as they give me hope and make me feel that the world is not such a bad place after all (there are days when we think it is – especially when you read some of the newspaper headlines recently). However this week I came across this piece that made me feel very sad. I want to share it with you as it relates to all of us that have children. Please have a look at the article about ‘UK youngsters being the unhappiest in the world due to bullying, depression and online porn‘. Having this knowledge at our fingers tips I think we need to do something about it but what? I think the most important thing we can do is to help our children with their self-esteem and self-acceptance. We don’t want them growing up thinking they have to be stick thin to be liked or look at porn because their friends are looking at and it is the cool thing to do. What kind of relationships are our children going to have with the opposite or same sex as what they are seeing is not real. It seems we need to be reducing stress in kids because of what they are seeing online.
Reducing Stress In Kids About Their Body And Expectations
We need to be clear to our children what relationships are all about. We cannot shield them from porn but we can educate them about what they may see/are seeing. We can talk to them about respect and trust and sex and girls/boys. We can’t take all their social media away or magazines on the shelf but we can talk to them about what they see and share with them our values and beliefs about what being healthy is all about.
And when it comes to stress we can convey what we want them to be – anything they want – and that each person has their path – doing their best is all that we ask. Help them take their stress away – get them to share their worries and listen to their needs. Observe how they are and pick up on anything you notice that seems to change with them. Mental health is so important. Keep an eye out on your child’s and role model the kind of traits and life skills you want them to have.
I am hoping the only way is up and that society changes so there is less stress and less internal struggles for children. My fingers are crossed. What are your thoughts?
If you do need help increasing your child’s self-worth, self-esteem and their mental heath so it is more stable then please do get in touch with me.
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
