We here at earnestmom.com are honored to once again have, Leslie Campos of https://wellparents.com to share some helpful tips on helping our children to learn some self-care – perfect for summer down times! Image via Pexels.

Practicing self-care is an important life skill that too few people are actively taught. In our society, the pressure is on us to always be the best. But if you don’t take time out to care for yourself, that becomes impossible. That’s why it’s a good idea to teach your children to practice self-care on a regular basis, as it will help set them up for happiness and success in the future. 

Encouraging Self-care

It’s easy to tell your children that taking care of themselves is important. What’s more difficult is being a role model and showing them how you take care of yourself. Let your kids see you taking time to practice self-care. Explain to them what you are doing and why. They will see the difference that taking care of yourself makes and be encouraged.

One important element of teaching this skill to your children is prioritizing them in your life. The day can get so busy, especially when life is busy. Actively plan when you will have quality time with your children and make sure you honor that commitment. Having a routine will make keeping the habit much simpler. That includes things like having a special bedtime routine together or having a Friday movie night.

Even if you have things to get done, you can involve your children. When you’re working in the kitchen, let them help or complete other simple chores in the area. If you have work to do from home, maybe they can read a book or color at your desk while you type.

Self-care Activities

Self-care falls into four categories: emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual. The activities are used to promote health in these areas and to eliminate stress. Some examples of self-care practices appropriate for kids are:

Emotional

• Family time. Spending time around people who you care about and who care about you meets emotional needs.
• Positive affirmations. Telling yourself positive things helps you build confidence and develop the relationship you have with yourself.

Physical

• Eating healthy. Beyond just feeding your kids healthy foods, teach them about foods and help them have a positive attitude about what they eat.
• Exercise. Even if it’s just going on a walk, teach your kids to get active. Some exercise on a daily basis is the best for most kids.
• Reduce screen time. Not only does excessive screen time damage vision and prompt headaches, but it also promotes a sedentary lifestyle that is not good for your physical health.

Psychological

• Journaling. Take time each day to reflect on events and write them down.
• Creating. Whether it’s a drawing, a craft, a story, music, or something else, creative work exercises the brain and develops the mind.

Spiritual

• Meditation and prayer. This gives you a chance to reflect and connect to a higher power or simply tune in to the world around you. 
• Volunteer. Making connections in your community and serving others is powerful.

Self-care Is Important

Self-care is more than just basic hygiene and having a hobby. It is really slowing down, focusing on yourself, and taking care of your mental health. To see how one family manages it all, check out the earnestmom.com.