The year that was 2020 has made me appreciate the children of Ireland more than I ever thought possible. I have always preferred to hang out with the kids more than the adults at a party (much better craic!) but now I want to shower them with trophies, medals, awards, gifts and treats galore... maybe forever.
Their sheer resilience and ability to adapt to fairly scary news about a virus and ever-changing personal circumstances for their families and surroundings has shown no bounds. That child-like trait of "getting on with it" in real-time and finding joy in toys, siblings, movies, pets and family walks is something to be championed. But is there mental wellbeing being affected?
Despite the fact that they mostly seem to be powering through, they still need our watchful eye and attention when it comes to their mental health.
Here are 5 daily tools to keep their spirits up and to check in on their wellbeing:
Routine
Everyone says it and everyone is right; routine is so important to kids. It took us a long time to figure it out but we now have dedicated morning and night routines, meal times and rules around homework. It really has given the kids a consistency that they can depend on which in turn makes them feel secure.
Sleep
We all need it in order to function at work or school and also to feel rested and happy. If you are concerned that your child isn’t getting enough sleep and it's impacting their wellbeing, contact The Nursery for sound advice and help.
Nutrition
Getting the right balance of foods into our kids is essential for their happy heads. Breakfast before school has to be non-negotiable as should a healthy lunchbox. They need all this goodness from food to help with concentration, to keep them warm, to feel comforted and all of this leads to more positivity.
Exercise
A walk in the fresh air can sort out a multitude of problems, from anxiety to just feeling a little bit claustrophobic and fed up indoors. Twenty minutes before or after dinner does the trick and can include a fun game, such as a mini nature hunt, watching out for birds, counting all the red doors etc.
Chats
I always remember an episode of Super Nanny from long ago, emphasising the importance of one-on-one time with kids. This will ensure they don’t "act out" looking for our attention! I get time with my daughter while we are waiting for her brother to finish school and my son and I catch up when we walk the dogs. I find it amazing the happy response when I put the phone, work and life troubles away, sit with them and just ask, "How are you, pet?" And they so deserve that.