Hubble bubble, healthy habits
The concept of conscious “self care” has ballooned in recent years, in response to the taxing pace of modern life and the physical, mental and emotional stresses it places upon all of us. It has experienced its fast uptick for good reason: it does wonders for a higher quality of life. Of course, there are countless forms of self-care - all of which look different for everyone but all of which can improve overall health and wellbeing for each and every one of us. Not just stressed executives. Not just tuned-in yoga instructors. And not just adults.
Yep, kids can practice and benefit from self care too.
Self Care for Kids: What is it?
Self care for kids is exactly what it sounds like: its children looking after themselves and their wellbeing. This can and should encompass a number of different things from their hygiene and safety, through to their mental well-being, self-esteem and sense of self. A biggie, hygiene practice is the self-care gateway for kids. Teaching them how to clean their teeth, put on their clothes, wash themselves, maintain their hair and get good sleep actually forms the foundation of their self care journey.
It’s a mindset. It’s important. Its infinitely – ultimately - rewarding. But it’s not always easy, and this beginning stage requires effort, patience and trust and from caregiver and child alike.
Here are some well-meaning tips to smooth the way:
Encourage kids to do things themselves
First up, a warning: this tip will require you to drop your standards. Probably quite a lot... But its only for a little while, and it will be worth it in the long run. It can be incredibly hard to resist the urge to do things for your child - either to make life "easier" for them or for you if time efficiency and higher standards are at play (always) - but encouraging kid’s independence in looking after their own hygiene is the way to go. Why? Because it both helps them develop competence and also helps build their sense of self-worth. Compelling, right? Will there be chaos and lateness and frustration? Initially, probably. But progress will happen and in the wash-up you’ll have a child who knows how to self manage their hygiene basics - and is more confident for it. Snap!
Make it easy and accessible
Ok, so independence means not having to ask you to find, reach or do something for them. Think like a kid and ensure the things your child needs to look after themselves are visible and easily accessible. Small adjustments like a step stool at the bathroom basin and their own drawer or a shelf at their level where they can keep their things will give them the means to go it alone.
Bring the bathing fun!
A clean bod and hair are critical components of self-care, but they’re not always on your child’s radar. Lathering textures, sweet, juicy smells and cute packaging can help get kids to take on their hygiene responsibilities with enthusiasm. Natio Kids “Hello Happy” and “Hello Clean" gift sets speak for themselves, offering kids a toolkit of fun-to-use hair and body formulas to bubble away bathing battles and shampoo blues. Confirmed: just-for-them bath and shower stuff that is fun and joyful to use will help get your child interested and invested in tasks that otherwise wouldn’t make their “favourite things to do” list.
Tame the tears and tangles
The curse of curious kids - twigs, knots and tangles in wild, windblown tresses are a daily given. So much so that hair brushing is a common daily source of tears and tantrums in households all over the world, and therefore worthy of a hack or two. Hack 1: Keep strands clean and silky to minimise troublesome tangles and debris. As cited above, a shampoo formulated with kids in mind is your best bet for compliance here. Some yummy smelling foaming lather will certainly help smooth the way – and the tangles – every time. Hack 2: Detangler, the guardian angel of tear-free tangle taming. Just spritz and enjoy a smoother ride from root to tip. Simply put, clean, neat and knot-free strands are essential for looking and feeling good: Natio Kids “Hello Silky” gift set will get you there. Bonus: the beautiful plant extracts and essential oils in the Kids Easy Peasy Hair Detangler help to keep head lice at bay, which is a very welcome perk indeed.
Lighten the mood
Fact: kids are emotional rollercoasters. Self regulation is a learned ability and it is a slow and steady race, meaning the highs and lows come quick and fast for kids, over and over every day. It is an exciting, exhausting, vital part of growing up. Helping your child to recognise, identify and seek support for balancing high emotion is an important and ongoing part of parenting. There is no short cut, but there is support at hand. Aromatherapy - particularly used in diffusion - can be great tool to create an ambience of calm, joy or comfort, with a world of pure plant scents to explore and enjoy. When it comes to kids, caution is required for specific oils so take care to do your research. Alternatively, purpose-blended child-friendly essential oils like Natio Kids Happy Days, Sweet Dreams and Sniffle Snuffle make it easy, with Natio’s adorable Olive The Owl Diffuser 100% bringing the cute.
Model It
Finally, the best thing you can do to help your child develop a healthy sense of self-care is to show them a good example. Modelling the behaviour you want your them to learn is arguably the best way to teach a child anything, so taking your own health and wellbeing seriously and investing in positive, pleasurable self-care will encourage the kids in your life to do the same. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a win-win.
Whether your child is a bub or big kid primary schooler, it’s a good time to start teaching them some valuable lessons in self-care and hygiene. And while the path will at times get splashy and spluttery, knotty, tangled and sometimes a little bit... messy... there’s a lot of joy to be had in the process if you can keep your good humour about you – and your kid-loving lathers, lotions and mood-boosters at hand. Best of luck and enjoy the journey.
