Today, there is a tragic phenomenon related to our children that continues to develop. As an occupational therapist, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of parents and children, and I have unfortunately witnessed this phenomenon that unfolds until now before my eyes. The emotional state of our children is devastating.
As parents, you should talk to teachers and education professionals. You will be as worried as me. Over the last 15 years, researchers have observed an alarming and consistent increase in mental illness among children, reaching the epidemic threshold:
- 3.5 to 5.6% of schoolchildren suffer from ADHD, attention deficit disorder.
- ADHD has increased by 43% in recent years.
- 47% of children aged 6 to 12 years would have an attention deficit disorder.
- 36% would suffer from hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- 17% would be a combination of both.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people under 20 years of age.
What are we waiting for to react?
No, do not be satisfied with a simple diagnosis.
No, they are not all born like that.
No, it's not the fault of the school system.
We, the parents, are most often, as difficult as it may be, the answer to the problems of our children.
We know that the brain is able to connect to the environment in which we live. This is also scientifically proven. Unfortunately, as parents, we do not offer the best education to our children. The way of life we are currently experiencing contributes to other challenges that we did not expect. New trends and technology are redirecting our children into much darker and more tragic directions.
In this article, I do not speak of children who have suffered from mental disorders since birth. I am talking about children whose challenges are largely influenced by environmental factors rather than by parents. In my experience, once parents' perspective on parenting changes, so do children.
Why ?
Nowadays, parents are no longer emotionally available. Distracted by technology and the virtual, they no longer have the time to devote themselves entirely to their children, to set rules to respect them, to advise them and to teach them to develop a sense of responsibility. They do not even have the time to prepare healthy and nutritious dishes, and prefer fast food and prepared meals. Today's parents avoid any kind of argument with their children by easily giving in to their whims and letting them "lead the world".
Where have the games gone, social interaction, boredom, creativity and communication? Do you think it is possible to raise a generation in good physical and mental health in such an unhealthy environment? As parents, we can not look for shortcuts to facilitate the education of our children.
Solutions
The solution is simple, let's go back to basics, to human nature. I am convinced of this because hundreds of my clients notice positive changes in the emotional state of their children in weeks or even days.
Here are some recommendations for successfully creating a healthy environment for your children:
- Remember that YOU are the parent, you are not a friend of your child.
- Play with your children Go running, ride a bike ... Go out into the nature.
- Involve your children in housework, it will help them get closer to you.
- Gradually reduce your use of phone, tablet, TV ... opt for informative and fun talks, for reading, DIY, art ...
- Set up a bedtime routine to improve the quality of your children's sleep.
- Prepare healthy meals and limit snacks.
- Teach them to be responsible and independent. They will learn to face the big and small challenges of life.
- Let them be bored, it will awaken their creativity.
- Teach them the values and principles: empathy, sharing, kindness, tolerance ...
- Help them discover their emotions and learn how to manage them ...
- Laugh with them, tickle them, kiss them ... connect emotionally!
If we do not react as quickly as possible to make changes in the lives of our children, it will probably be too late. So save this generation so that it can save those who come later.
