The Truth Behind Mindfulness for Kids
Today’s world is hurried, full of stimulation and chaotic. As a kid who grew up in the 80’s I often think about what a different world my kids grow up in today. Advances that brought us to this place are incredible & amazing, but kids seem to grow up a more rapid pace. This can all lead to feelings of overwhelm, stress and anxiety from a very young age. Today’s blog will dig into mindfulness practices, sharing the proven benefits behind the practices, and how they can impact children. My hope is for this to encourage you to start exploring mindfulness with your children today!
I’ll begin by telling you a story, so you can have a feel for where this journey began for our family. When my oldest daughter was born, I remember us being amazed that at age one she’d reach for our phones. She could play basic games or ask to watch videos before she was two. At the time this seemed fascinating and exciting, how could this little tiny being intuitively know what to do on a phone? Why would she know how to swipe to get what she was looking for? But to be completely honest, our delight of watching her with technology turned on us.
Eating meals was a challenge for us when she was little, and that’s putting it lightly. To be more honest, it was a three-times-a-day endless battle. The struggle was exhausting, she didn’t want to eat or certainly didn’t want to eat what we’d made, it had to be the same thing over & over again. I remember her being tiny, and packing preschool lunches that were made up of our dinner leftovers, roasted veggies, quinoa, etc. This lovely vision always ended in disappointment & frustration. Eggo waffles with peanut butter, that was our only breakfast option. We got to a point where my sweet little two year old would only want to eat peacefully if she could watch Youtube videos she was obsessed with. I could see it unfold, she’d plug in, relax and zone out, and only then could she eat her meal.
Motherhood is hard, and there’s no manual guiding you along the way. Especially when they’re so little and everything is new & unknown. So we did this for some time, allowing her to plug into a device to make meal time “easier” for everyone. Until one day a lightbulb went off, if I don’t teach her how to eat a proper meal with her family, she’ll always think this is how meal time works. It gave me a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach to watch her zone out to these stupid videos. I saw her glazed over little eyes and it broke my heart, she deserved better than that. What was making life easier for us in the moment was not serving her, not in the moment or longterm. If you’ve had a resistant eater or a strong willed child, you know, sometimes you simply do what you have to do to make life easier. I’ve been there, I get it. But I also know that sitting with your kids in their pain and resistance, and working to understand where they’re coming from is powerful and creates change.
In that moment, I was determined to make a change. So we did, we cut electronic devices out of my daughters life starting at age two. She can watch a couple short TV shows each day, but for us phones, iPads and handheld video devices simply aren’t something we allow. I have seen first hand out addictive they are, and I see how it shifts my children’s behavior and actions. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t come easily. Technology is created to be addictive, a fact I think we should all be aware of. I believe we’re here as parents to be our children’s best advocate, to help them learn incredible skills to help them live into their outrageous potential. What happened as we became more aware of the challenges my daughter faced around meals, we were able to learn to be present with each other. Removing distractions and talking during meals, even if you’re standing at the kitchen counter as you’re eating (which is exactly what happens every morning in our house) is such a powerful way to connect. Kids share their funny stories or silly ideas, something that doesn’t happen when they’re numbed out.
I found that as we left our “easy button” behind, which was technology, we were able to be more present as a family. We found ways to connect and be with one another, and this bridge from being zoned out to sharing laughs & stories, means the world to me. The world our kids grow up in today is fast paced and busy from the moment they arrive. As someone raising two very sensitive little ladies, I can tell you that certain kids feel this stress from a very young age, and it’s our job as parents to meet them where they are and support them with tools and resources for how to navigate the world.
We often think of mindfulness practices as tools for adults to practice, but today I’m going to share with you the powerful benefits of starting these practices with your young children. Just as you’d teach them how to get dressed, or make scrambled eggs, I believe we should expose our children to the powerful options that are available to help them manage stress, lower anxiety and help them feel grounded in a world that can often feel out of their control. Today I’ll share with you the proven scientific results behind mindfulness practices in children, and I assure this will inspire you to explore the options I will bring up in the coming month’s blogs.
Scientific Results of Mindfulness Practices
Below I’ve listed 8 of the top proven benefits behind mindfulness practices with children. As you read the list, I would imagine some will resonate with you, and some you’ll find yourself feeling would be an amazing benefit for your child. There’s literally something for everyone on this list, which is the point! With some exploration we can all find the practices that suit our unique selves the best.
Strengthens self-control
Lowers anxiety & stress
Increases positive mood
Better decision making
Improves emotional regulation skills
Increases self-esteem
Improves healthy body image
Improves social skills & communication
Can we all agree that this is a phenomenal list of benefits? If our children only benefited from a few of them it presents the opportunity for a beautiful life. As I mentioned at the start, this month’s blogs will be focused on breaking down mindfulness practices with kids. The holidays are a stressful time for adults and children alike, so much excitement and joy, but also stressful and busy. I believe that implementing these practices can help make our children more joyful, present and provide them life-long healthy habits. Stay tuned for next week’s blog which will explore simple & effective mindfulness techniques you can start trying that very day!
PS - I shared this 1st picture of my daughter because I feel like it embodies confidence. 5 years ago she never would have taken that power stance with a big smile on her face, but she does today. Change can happen, it may not be the easy path, but it’s so worth it!
If this blog has left you inspired to explore more mindfulness practices, check out Mindfulness with Kids: Simple & Proven Practices to Explore!