What Can We Do
- Mar 3
- 5 min read
Evidence-based lifestyle interventions for childhood anxiety and depression, include sleep hygiene, nutrition, and stress reduction strategies.
The title of this blog and the above paragraph are taken straight from an article – of the same title – that I would ask that you take the time to read before going any further.
Please understand that this article is not written from a spiritual perspective. However, I do believe that it sheds a great deal of light upon an issue which affects many children today.
So, what can parents do?
Our Spiritual Response
As parents, we must teach our children how to go to God and God’s Word in times of anxiety, fear, and confusion. (And this really begins by our example. We must learn to go to God and God's Word in times of anxiety, fear, and confusion.)
Our world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. When I was growing up, I saw change around me, but today’s youth are living in a world that changes – literally – so fast that it is impossible to keep up with that change. Most adults have an extremely difficult time trying to keep up with all of the change. (For myself, I don't even try to keep up with all the changes!)
In a world that is always changing, we need to turn our focus – and teach our children to turn their focus – to that which has never changed and never will change – God and His Word.
“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
Not only that, but in times of fear (Psalm 56:3), in times of anxiety (Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 4:6-8), and in times of confusion (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 3:5-6), our first response must be to turn to Jesus Christ and to His Word; and we must teach our children that that should their first response as well!
One of the greatest things - spiritually - that you can do for yourself and your family is to regularly attend a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church where your entire family can be built up with God's Word!
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Our Physical Response
Drawing from the article that I referenced at the beginning of this post, there are several things that parents can physically do that will be a tremendous help to their children.
Slow down
“Kids today live like mini-adults. Their calendars are booked, with no downtime scheduled.”
This point goes along with another one that I have later on but I have said this before, "Kids need boredom."
Sleep
“Most children and teens are sleep-deprived – not by a little, but by hours…”
The CDC recommends that school age children need 9-12 hours of sleep each night! That means that if your children need to be awake, and out of bed, by 7 AM to make sure that you are out of the house and on your way to school on time, your school age children need to be in bed NO LATER than 10 PM.
You may say, "That’s not possible with my/our busy schedule." I would respond with, (and please don’t get upset with me) "Your schedule is too busy, then."
Limit – or completely do away with – screens
“Excessive screen exposure – especially social media and fast-paced content – overstimulates the nervous system, disrupts dopamine regulation, and increases anxiety, self-comparison, and depressive symptoms.”
My question to you would be, “Does your school age child need that cell phone? Tablet? Computer?”
Regardless of how you might answer those questions I will say…
· Your school age children should not be allowed to have those devices in their bedrooms, unsupervised.
· Your school age children should not have unlimited access to those devices.
· Your school age children should not be allowed to use those devices immediately before going to bed.
Eat right
“The rise in ultra-processed foods, artificial dyes, high sugar intake, low omega-3 levels, and gut dysbiosis directly affects mood and behavior because gut inflammation equals brain inflammation.”
As one teacher put it: Less Lunchables! Our encouragement is for you and your children to eat more real foods.
Get outside and play
“Free play – the greatest natural regulator of the nervous system – has been replaced by academics, structured activities, and screens.”
During one of the recent snow storms that a vast majority of our country experienced, the new mayor of New York City announced that school age children would not be having any "snow days.” Instead, they would be required to attend school - virtually! (Read one parents "verdict" of how that went.)
Growing up in Iowa I remember snow days as a kid. They were joyous days. They were days that slowed things down for everyone (at least that's what it seemed like to a 10 year old boy).
Growing up in Iowa I also remember just simply going outside to play. No structure; no timetables; just play. Whether that was digging in the dirt or riding my bike, or playing football with the other neighborhood kids.
Now, I realize that times have changed and that sometimes parents are fearful of allowing their children to play outside - by themselves. But, that doesn't take away from the fact that children need to get outside and play! So, if that means that you have to go outside and play with them - so be it! (It would probably do all parents some good to get outside and play as well!)
Conclusion
I believe that most of us would agree that children have changed and that the world in which they live has changed. What can you - as a parent - do to fulfill your God-given responsibility to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Plenty! You can assist your children both physically and spiritually and help them to successfully live for God's honor and glory in an extremely hostile world!
What will you do?
In the comment section, let us know what it is that you plan to do to make a difference in your child's life.
Comments