We genuinely understand the worries that first-time dads deal with these days. You see your friends’ kids glued to a smartphone or tablet all day, and you fear that your child will develop similar habits in the future. When you think of how creative the bullies are getting, to the point that they use social media to victimize people, you worry about your kid being on the receiving end of that.
Toddlers can easily become emotionally flooded. When emotions overwhelm them, they might throw a tantrum, yell, or cry uncontrollably. — Amy Quinn, MA, MS, LMFT
If there is something that’s scarier than technology or bullying, though, that is none other than depression. This mental disorder typically saps the energy off adults and hinders them from living their lives. In case a mere child acquires the same condition, what are the odds of him or her getting rid of a disease that even independent adults can hardly handle?
Try not to be so confident about your children not being prone to depression since according to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, it is the fourth most common mental health problem of kids between the ages of three and 17. The disease can develop anytime, especially if parents like yourself only see what they want to believe.
Thus, check out some of the ways to reduce your children’s chances of having depression.
Address Things That May Trigger The Disorder
From the get-go, you should acknowledge the factors that might depress your kids. E.g., the family moved to a different city or country, they have to find new friends or you and your spouse are finalizing your divorce. These are the kinds of circumstances that you cannot reserve, but it will help them cope with the new situation if you address such trigger factors early.
Most parents hope for their children to grow up behaving with decency, emotional openness, affection, non-defensiveness, and other positive attributes. It’s crucial for parents to model these qualities and behaviors for their children. — Johannes Kieding, LCSW
Do Everything As A Family
Kids do well when they see the entire family bonding over everything. For instance, in the morning, you have breakfast together and leave the house at the same time. After dinner, you commune in the living room to chat about how everyone’s day went by. As for the household chores, all the family members have individual tasks to finish.
Lessen Their Access To Technology
When children start using the internet before they can walk or talk, there is a high possibility that that’s all they will want to do while growing up. Their idea of fun is playing video games or watching YouTube stuff. They develop an interest in social media channels as well, and they might ask you to create a Facebook or Instagram account for them sooner than later.
If you let this matter to go on, though, your kids may not know how to make friends. They will find it hard to maintain relationships in the real world. That will eventually push them down the depression lane, for sure.
Our relationships are enriched when we allow our genuine curiosity to drive authentic questions about our children’s lives and experiences, and when we acknowledge and validate their perspectives. — Jon Lasser, Ph.D.
There is no reservation in our minds that you love your children more than anyone on this planet. You are willing to do everything to see them succeed and be happy in life. Hence, it should not be too challenging for you to follow the tips above to protect them against depression.
Good luck!
