Today’s children are growing up in a very different world from that of most adults. Due to technology and connectivity, they can FaceTime grandma at any time of day or track where mom and dad are by looking at a phone. They can play with a neighborhood child without meeting in person, but instead logging onto the same video game at the same time. They can learn practically anything by looking up a YouTube video or even typing something into ChatGPT. 

While these advancements are exciting, it can be harder to teach children the importance of emotional resilience and the importance of mental health. Here are a few suggestions for parents and caregivers that can be implemented as early as today. 

Be a Role Model

Children learn from those around them. While you can’t always control who they interact with at school or at the playground, you can show up as a parent or caregiver by being a positive role model. If you’re particularly stressed, anxious, or nervous, children will hold onto these emotions. It may not be instant, but over time, you may recognize their own habits changing if they start to feel overwhelmed. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t express these types of emotions around children. Rather, think about how you’re displaying them and express why you’re feeling this way in an age-appropriate way. If you’ve had a long day and need a reset by taking a bath, let your children know that you’re unavailable for the next 30 minutes as you calm down in a quiet area. Or if you realize that your child was watching you as you got angry on the phone with a friend or loved one, explain what happened. They don’t need to know the tiny details; instead, just explain why you were upset and let them know that it’s okay not to be happy all of the time.   

Cultivate Open Communication 

Being a good role model leads to cultivating open communication. Young children tend to want to tell you everything about their school day. However, this will likely change as your children grow and mature into middle and high school. Fostering open communication while they’re young can encourage having an open dialogue about what’s going on in their life and how they’re feeling. 

A good way to start is by asking a simple question, such as “What was the best part of your school day today?” instead of a yes or no question. A child may nod when asked if they had a good day, but they’re forced to respond to what was the best thing that happened to them today. This can be a conversation starter that opens them up to how they’re really feeling. 

When you are given a window of opportunity to hear your child, make sure you’re fully listening. Avoid any distractions or temptations, such as responding to a Slack message from a colleague or continuing to prep dinner while they talk. Children will notice when you’re fully present and when you’re half-listening. Making eye contact and offering empathetic responses to what they’re saying shows that you care and are here for them.

Also, if you need to speak to them about something important, ensure they are fully present too. Find a time to sit down with your child and approach the subject matter calmly. If a family member was recently admitted to somewhere like the Utah depression treatment center, let them know why and ensure that this is the best place for them to get help. Teaching children that support is always available can make it less scary for them to approach mental health-related topics with you in the future.    

Create a Supportive Environment 

In many ways, a supportive environment starts with the home. A supportive environment ensures that all family members feel safe, secure, and valued. It generates positive relationships amongst everyone and allows children to feel like they’re part of a loving family. 

To create a supportive environment, start by building daily habits and routines. Having set routines every day allows everyone in the family to know what to expect during the day. It can also create less stress overall. For example, if older children know that they are responsible for making their toast and their younger siblings’ toast every morning, they’ll do it. This allows you to work on packing lunches and organizing backpacks before getting everyone out the door on time. 

Another way to create a supportive environment is by allowing children to take age-appropriate risks. The next time they’re on the playground, allow them to go to the top of the slide without asking for permission. This shows that you trust their abilities and are there for them as they grow and learn from failures, too. 

Teach Self-Care 

Life today can be hectic. Your children go from school to after-school care before they’re picked up and told to finish their homework before eating dinner and going to bed. On the weekends, you’re likely juggling running errands with attending birthday parties and celebrations while fitting in family-fun time. Again, children recognize the busyness of the day, which is why teaching self-care at a young age can be so important. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break, be vocal about it. This shows that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let your children know that while staying up late to watch a movie on a weeknight may seem like fun, being tired the next day won’t make school any easier. Promote regular physical activity by taking family walks after dinner or going on bike rides on the weekends. Let children know that being active can help relieve stress while also building strong muscles.   

Final Thoughts

Because of recent technological and cultural shifts, finding the time to focus on mental health can be more challenging. However, adults need to mirror positive behaviors for children to fully grasp the importance of mental health and learn how to be emotionally resilient. Keep these pointers top of mind, and you’ll likely start noticing a positive shift for both you and your children.