One of the best days of 2020 happened in December, when I needed to have a root canal. I was able to stretch out horizontally in the dentist’s chair without looking for dark news on my cell phone and without anyone asking me for snacks.
After the dentist, as I had already told my family and co-workers that it was going to take some time, I walked around downtown Manhattan (New York, USA), leafed through used books in a sidewalk used bookstore and listened to a podcast for adults while returned home. It was a delight.
Moms and dads need time to be alone, and I want my kids, who are still kids, to value that kind of independence too. How can I explain the importance of this in an age-appropriate way? See what some experts have recommended.
IT’S TIME TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT SELF-CARE
Talking about the time people need to be alone is an opportunity to teach children about good mental health.
“Don’t imply that this is a weird thing that a person feels the need to do,” recommended Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist who writes the New York Times’ Adolescence column.
“Say, ‘When I’m with you I want to be able to really pay attention to you, so I need to take care of some mental tasks, and that’s something I do alone. That way I can be a lot more present when we’re together.'”
TIME TO BE ALONE SHOULD BE PART OF THE FAMILY ROUTINE
Remember those color-coded graphics from the early days of the pandemic? Those family dinners? When the pandemic began, “we discussed family routines,” said Hina J. Talib, an associate professor of pediatrics and hebiatrician at Children’s Hospital in Montefiore, New York.
“Why don’t we talk about creating a routine of setting aside time to be alone?” His children. who are still small children, know that she goes out every day “to look at a tree in the backyard”.
Lizzie Assa, founder of the website and Instagram account The Workspace for Children, which helps parents teach their children to play alone, makes sure that her three children, who are both toddlers and teenagers, have a “quiet time” every day. since they were 2 or 3 years old. She said it took work, but it was worth it.
IT’S OK IF YOUR CHILDREN GET UPLOADED
If you don’t want to spend all hours of the day with your children, “it’s normal — developmentally appropriate — for them to feel insulted,” explained Pooja Lakshmin, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the George Washington School of Medicine.
As a parent, help them understand that it’s okay to feel sad. Spending time with this discomfort teaches children that they are capable of taking care of themselves, even if it makes them temporarily unhappy.
Translation by Clara Allain
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
