Many children, and even adults thrive on some type of structure or routine. This doesn’t mean scheduling activities into exact time blocks (although it can be that), but rather finding a rhythm and flow that works for your specific child. Something that has benefited my children in more ways than one is incorporating daily rituals into our day. Our rituals can be as simple as reading a story together at bedtime every single night to more elaborate rituals of sharing things that we are thankful for before eating a meal. Let’s take a look at 4 daily rituals that will nurture your child’s mental health.
Rituals don’t need to be rigid, occurring at exact moments of every day. We all lead busy lives and have off days, so giving yourself a little grace when you inevitably miss a moment of connection. Creating special moments each day with our children is a great way to improve your relationship with your child, while also boosting their self-esteem and setting them up with healthy ways to cope with the stresses of life as they grow older.
Written By: Sam Milam is a freelance writer, mother of two, and an attachment parenting coach of the past 7 years. Her focus is always on emotional intelligence, acknowledging the expectations of the parent, and nurturing the inner child of both parent and child.