Raising content children

As more children get hooked on to social media, they begin to expose themselves to this consumer-driven world.

They begin to experience what it means to engage in this fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with information.

It is not easy to maintain a sense of contentment with all the many things that make one consider what else is out there that might bring joy.

A central theme of contemporary parenting that should not be neglected in these times is how to live a contented life and pass on same to our children.

Rather than being thankful for what we have, it is easy in these times to focus on what we don’t have.

We are being made to believe that people who flaunt their wealth, accomplishments or possessions in front of us are happier. So, we run around seeking more but without any satisfaction.

To be content is to accept and be happy with who you are and what you have at any given moment. Increasingly, many adults are becoming discontent because they are learning to connect their values and self-esteem to what they do or have.

They cannot accept who they are because they never seem to measure up. And this is a great cause of anxiety, depression, envy, jealousy, greed and dissatisfaction.

Children and adolescents are now faced with these kinds of stresses too, unfortunately, and this must be checked.

Contentment

Contentment reduces stress, enhances emotional well-being and improves mental resilience. Increased gratitude makes relationships better, and sleep quality is better among people who are generally content in life.

They are content, not because they have all they ever wished for but their contentment is rooted in their values and priorities.

Nurturing contentment in children is necessary for the times. Parents and caregivers can be a powerful example of what it means to practice contentment.

This is because the children are always around us taking in our verbal and non-verbal responses to life.

They are watching us and listening to our conversations about things or products that could make us happier.

Children who hang around content adults are in an environment that can counter the influence and pressure to seek more and more and more because they never are or have enough.

Discontentment

Adults who buy stuff or things impulsively may also be doing this unconsciously from a place of discontentment.

Having a lack of contentment can cause one to buy things they don’t really need sometimes. It is a good thing to let our children see us planning and budgeting for our purchases.

Being grateful instils contentment in us. We can teach our adolescents what it means to be thankful by sitting down with them and working together to create a list of things that they can be thankful for.

Allow younger children to share one thing every night that they are grateful for during their day. The more we do this, the more we draw their attention to the things and values that really matter.

We must talk to our children about the dangers of comparing their lives with others on social media. There will always be people who appear to have ‘everything’ or live the ‘perfect’ life.

Let them know early that the grass is always greener at the feet of others. Comparing their lives and experiences with others will always lead to feelings of discontentment.

Break that tendency to be inward-looking and self-centred by occupying them with voluntary work and opportunities to serve the vulnerable and needy.

Children who develop a deep appreciation for who they are and for their daily blessings find it easier to offer their worthy contribution to society.

The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.
E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk