Page 23 - Blue Valley Issue 4_2022

TODAY’S CHILD

in five children. There are many contributing Guard against pressurising your children to take Stick to your viewpoint or perspective and point
factors, such as being too sedentary; eating the high school subjects you may like or think out that there are many sides to any topic.
convenience meals because we are too busy to are best for them but that they don’t have an
cook; feeling bored, which leads to overeating; aptitude for. You may be setting them up for If your teenager shares that they are being bullied
making poor lifestyle choices such as drinking failure, and this can have a major impact on or that they feel overwhelmed or depressed, seek
too much alcohol; and poverty – buying the their confidence and their ability to succeed. It help for them. Generally, with teens, you get one
wrong foods in bulk because they’re more can result in depression, or worse. opportunity. If they ask for help or they confide
affordable than buying, preparing and eating in you, make sure you are there to support them
balanced meals. These are just some of the many issues throughout their ordeal and get them the help
associated with this stage of your child’s they need as soon as possible.
Overweight children are often the target development. Raising tough topics with your
of abuse and bullying. They tend to have a teenager can be uncomfortable and your teen Nothing beats connecting
low sense of self-worth and suffer from body may be unwilling to talk. Persevere – it could be
image issues, which contribute to depression life-changing for your child. It is often better to with your teen in an
and other mental health conditions. It goes start these conversations when children are at a authentic, open, honest,
without saying that these children experience young age and keep the channels open, setting
many health-related issues, which compounds a foundation for adolescence and beyond. loving and caring way.
the problem and affects them in other ways.
For instance, they can suffer from diabetes and It may be easier to ask a general question so as Make time for your
heart disease or they end up being ostracised to kickstart a conversation with your child about teenager, respect their
by their peers. a subject that’s topical to teenagers. Ask your
child’s opinion on the topic, and listen to what opinions and don’t ignore
Surveys have shown that parents they have to say. Do not judge your child on warning signs.
underestimate their child’s size and associated their opinions or views, and don’t criticise them.
health risks. So, be aware of your child’s weight
and address eating habits early on before they
become problematic.
#5: ACADEMIC PRESSURES
The workload and constant pressure to score
high marks affects our children. Burnout and
depression are a direct result. Even smart
children take strain. Their academic record
determines whether they are accepted into a
university and can affect their employment
opportunities – this, in an insanely competitive
market with an oversupply of applicants.
It is easy for our youth to become demoralised
and feel hopeless about their prospects, and
parental pressure to perform compounds this.
It’s important that you support your children
from an early age – praise their effort rather
than the results, encourage them and offer
them moral support and/or extra lessons if Other sources:
https://health-e.org.za/2021/03/19/understanding-the-link-between-poverty-inequality-and-rising-childhood-obesity/
need be. https://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1877&Itemid=142

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