Self-care is at its best when it’s a routine that we don’t even have to think about. You already have a number of these in place, no doubt, such as how you brush your teeth twice a day, stretch in the mornings, or make sure to sleep at a particular time. The longer we practice these, the better we get at them, and over time such an activity leads us to feeling better than we otherwise would.
Now, some of these techniques can also be quite idiosyncratic. Some people may love their morning coffee, but never in the first hour upon waking up, rather at the workplace when they arrive there. Or, you might find that in order to get to sleep, you absolutely need to have exercised that evening or at least stretched.
As a parent with a family to take care of, it’s healthy to teach your children self-care techniques that keep them responsible for their well-being (as much as can be expected), but are also general enough to fit various needs. In this post, we’ll discuss how to achieve that:
Teach Them To Listen To Their Bodies
It's good to help your kids understand what their body is telling them, as even adults can get into the habit of pushing through discomfort or ignoring signs that something's off. If they're feeling tired, hungry, or uncomfortable, those are worth paying attention to and you can also suggest when is the best context to address them.
You can talk them through questions like whether they've had enough water today or if they need to move around after sitting for a while. It’s something that helps with their awareness, and that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
Make Skincare A Normal Part Of Their Day
It's worth introducing basic skincare habits while they're young so it becomes second nature as they get older. Of course, don’t make this about anti-aging or give them a complex about youth and vitality, just teach simple things like washing their face morning and night, moisturizing when their skin feels dry, or protecting themselves from the sun with the right blocker.
For instance, using gentle products like Tallow Me Pretty skincare can teach them that taking care of their skin doesn't have to involve harsh chemicals or confusing steps. You want them to see this as just another part of staying clean and healthy, not some optional luxury with celebrity-endorsed expensive products that even adults can fall prey to. Kids who learn to care for their skin early tend to have fewer issues with confidence as they hit their teenage years even if they break out in acne, because they know it’s something they can care for.
Show Them How To Wind Down Properly
It's helpful to put in place routines that help them tell their brain and body that it's time to relax and prepare for rest. This could be reading together, listening to calm music, dimming the lights, doing some gentle stretches before bed, or just letting them nap when they need it. For children the routine matters most, so having the same sequence each night helps them feel secure and makes falling asleep easier. This also helps them learn that rest is something to prioritize and it deserves their focus. It can also prevent bad habits later, like gaming right until bedtime.
This becomes valuable as they get older and life gets more demanding. Knowing how to decompress and reset will help them manage stress and avoid burnout down the line.