It is crunch time now – for the primary six and secondary four students, preliminary exams are around the corner (if not already happening), school tests and assignments are due. Oh how, how, how can we ensure that our kids stay sane and happy during this relatively stressful period of time?
Most (if not all) parents see it as their goal to ensure that their children lead a happy and fulfilling life. The happiness and well-being of our children are more important than academic and extracurricular activities. But often, in pursuit of academic success, we forget this fact and force them to work harder than they can and stress them.
For our children to have a happy life, academic success and a career can help. But, that should not come at the expense of their mental or physical well-being. We have to take steps so that they can study well and also be happy and healthy.
What can we do?
Balanced Routine
A routine can help you balance out everything in your children’s lives. It can help your children effectively utilise their time to focus on studies and make sure they have enough time to do other things they love. Try to make sure that the routine is flexible and doesn’t make them feel trapped. A well-structured life can help your children in finishing their tasks on time and be prepared. It can help avoid stress and help them be of sound mind.
Set realistic goals
Ensure that the goals your children set for themselves or you set for them are realistic and achievable. Unrealistic goals are the main cause of stress and unhappiness in students. Achieving goals can be a motivating factor and a source of happiness for your children. So, try to understand the calibre and ability of your children and plan accordingly.
Take care of health and sleep
Sleep! Yes, do not underestimate the importance of this seemingly innocent factor. Make sure that they get enough sleep. Studies can affect their sleep schedule, especially during exam times. Take measures to ensure that they go to bed at fixed times and take care of their health. Make sure they have meals at regular times.
Make sure your children exercise regularly. Meditation and exercise can help in maintaining a healthy mind and body. It can aid in their happiness and well-being.
Friendly home
Make sure your home is stress-free. Try not to bring your work-related problems back home, and do not discuss your issues in front of your children. Ensure that your family atmosphere is always sound. Indulge in activities that strengthen your bond. Plan fun family activities. Have fun with each other.
Do not make your children feel constantly pressured. Try not to make them feel like it is more important to meet your expectations than it is for them to be happy. Do not criticise them, instead offer them your unwavering support. Let them know that you value their efforts more than the results and that it’s okay to fail sometimes.
Look out for any signs of self-harm or behavioural changes
If you notice any of such behaviour, talk to them or their friends. Seek professional help if needed. It’s time to get rid of the stigma about seeking mental health. Not getting timely help can have serious effects on your children.
Communication is key
The most important thing you can do as a parent is to let your child know that you are there for them. Make sure they know that they can talk to you about any issues plaguing them. Try to befriend your children and make them feel comfortable confiding in you. Keep an open mind and listen to them when they talk and offer support when needed.
Healthy mental habits
Teach your children healthy mental habits like self-talk to motivate themselves, expressing gratitude, mindfulness exercises and so on. Many apps help you practice gratitude and mindfulness exercises. You can look for such apps on the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
Train your child from a young age on how to be mentally strong. Teach them how to handle criticism and pressure. Also, teach them how to handle failure. All these can help in creating a positive outlook on life. It will make them capable of facing any adverse situation without losing hope.
Friends and social connections
Encourage your children to form friendships and spend time with friends. Deep-rooted social connections help keep a person happy and feel fulfilled in life. They can also offer your children support and motivation in situations where you cannot be with them. For children, it might be easier to communicate with friends than with parents. So having strong friendships can help your children overcome issues they face in life and help them not feel lonely or left out.
Limit screen time
Try to limit the screen time of your children. Unregulated usage of screen time has been linked to poor mental health and leads to depression in children. Try to regulate your children’s dependence on digital devices and help them focus their attention on more useful things.
Try creative habits
Encourage creative hobbies and other activities that your children are interested in. Buy them supplies, allot them time to indulge in them, and offer help when needed. It can be painting, reading, dancing, or anything your children might take an interest in. They might change their interest from time to time. Try not to put pressure on them to practice a particular thing if they are not interested.
We hope you find these tips helpful. Let’s help build a generation of happy and healthy young minds! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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