Children are people!

Children are people! Small people, but never less important. Respect them and their experiences with dignity, care, and love. These powerful words serve as a vital reminder in our often fast-paced and adult-centric world. They cut through the noise and highlight a fundamental truth: the inner lives and experiences of children are just as real and significant as our own. Early life experiences with family and friends are the ones that shape our personality and set a trajectory for later on in life. Most mental health issues stem out of the experiences we had during these early times.

Think about it. A child’s joy at discovering a ladybug, their sadness over a broken toy, their frustration at not being able to tie their shoes – these are not trivial feelings to them. They are navigating their world with the full force of their emotional capacity, and their experiences, though smaller in scale to ours, hold immense weight in shaping their developing sense of self.

As parents, teachers, and mentors, we hold a profound responsibility. Our interactions with children set the precedent for their future inner well-being, their confidence, and their self-worth. The way we speak to them, the way we act around them, becomes the blueprint for how they will eventually view themselves and their place in the world.

Children are incredibly perceptive. They can sense when things are amiss, even if they don’t fully understand the complexities of adult situations. They absorb our anxieties, our frustrations, and our inconsistencies like sponges. Unlike adults, however, they often lack the cognitive development and emotional maturity to process these undercurrents or to know how to address them. This can lead to feelings of confusion, insecurity, and a sense that their own internal world is somehow invalid.

Treating children with dignity, care, and love is not just a matter of kindness; it’s a crucial investment in their future mental health. This means actively listening to their concerns, even if they seem small to us. It means validating their feelings, acknowledging their perspectives, and respecting their opinions, even when they differ from our own. Asking for their input and truly considering their responses teaches them that their voice matters and that their thoughts are valued.

Every interaction, every word, every action we direct towards a child has a rippling effect that can last a lifetime. Positive interactions, filled with respect and love, plant seeds of confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self-worth. Conversely, dismissive words, inconsistent behavior, or a lack of empathy can sow seeds of doubt, insecurity, and a diminished sense of their own importance.

Let us remember this powerful message. Children are not simply miniature adults waiting to grow up. They are individuals with rich inner lives, navigating their own unique experiences. By treating them with the respect and love they deserve, we empower them to build a strong foundation for a healthy and fulfilling future. Let our words and actions be a testament to their inherent worth, shaping a generation that knows its value and embraces its own unique voice.

Our children depend on us, the adults, for their well being. If you as a parent are “not okay” they are not either – no matter how much you or they try to hide it. Take care of yourself and your mental health by healing past trauma that will interfere with the present. We know you want to be a better parent so this will help you to actually be a capable one.

Let’s end the bad cycle together.