Soul fevers - taking care of our children's mental wellnesss!

Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting**, talks about "soul fevers". I love this concept!

It's the idea that when kids aren't physically well, we pull them close, slow things down and let them heal. When kids are emotionally unwell, he suggests that we need to do the same.

A child who is acting out or pulling away may be having a "soul fever" and one of the best things that we can do is pull them close (or give them space), slow things down and give them time to heal.

In other words, kids need mental health days too.

By teaching them the skill of self-care, we are inviting them to check in with their bodies and make appropriate changes to their schedule that will allow them to bounce back. This is something many of us adults are just learning! I get that this may seem indulgent and goes against the "pull up your boot straps" mentality, but I strongly believe that resilience emerges from a balance between care and stress.

Teaching our children to trust their bodies, know when to change the situation to minimize their anxieties and stress and then make conscious choices of self-care are beautiful life skills. By teaching them this now, we are also showing our children that we trust them and that we are a village that supports them.

What are ways that you teach your child self care? How do you employ self care in your own world?

This post was inspired by this article: www.scarymommy.com/kids-need-mental-health-days/?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=gottman

Check it out! 

​** Simplicity Parenting is one of my favourite parenting books. Please check it out at your local library or if you'd like, click on the link below to purchase it. Payne's work has  inspired us to simplify our schedule, routine and environment and we can already see the positive effects that have arisen since.