Catholic Education Tasmania -North: Silent Tragedy Impacting our Children

“Stop wearing your wishbone

where your backbone ought to be.”

– Elizabeth Gilbert

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Victoria Prooday is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist from Canada. In one of her most recent Blogs, she really challenged parents around what she called a 'silent tragedy' unfolding with our children. She states:

' even if you disagree with my perspective, please, just follow the recommendations at the end of the article. Once you have seen the positive changes, you will understand why I say what I say..'

There is a silent tragedy developing right now, in our homes, and it concerns - our children. In my professional work I have witnessed this tragedy unfolding in front of my eyes. Our children are in a devasting emotional state!

1 in 5 children have mental health problems
43% increase in ADHD
37% increase in teen depression.
200% increase in suicide rate in 10-14-year-olds

Yes as painful as it can be to admit, in many cases, we the parents, are the answer to many of our kids' struggles. Unfortunately often with the environment and parenting styles, we are providing to our children, we are rewiring their brains and contributing to their challenges in everyday life.

Yes, there are always children who have serious disabilities and needs. I am not talking about children in these situations. I am talking about the children who are being deprived of a healthy childhood that has at its centre:

Emotionally available parents
Clearly defined limits and guidance
Responsibilities
Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
Movement and Outdoors
Creative play, social interaction, opportunities for unstructured play and boredom

INSTEAD, children are being served with:

Digitally distracted parents
Indulgent parents who let kids 'rule the world'
Sense of entitlement rather than responsibility
Inadequate sleep and unbalanced nutrition.
Sedentary indoor lifestyle
Endless stimulation, technological babysitters, and absence of dull moments.

If we want out children to grow up happy and healthy we need to go back to the basics. We need to set limits and remember that you are your child's PARENT, not a friend. Offer kids well-balanced lifestyle filled with what they need and don't be afraid to say 'No!'

Spend a least one hour outside a day
Have a daily tech free dinner
Involve children in at least one chore a day.
Implement consistent sleep routines, ensure your child gets lots of sleep and that the bedroom is technology free.
Don't pack your child's backpack
Don't carry their backpack
Don't bring to school their forgotten lunch box and don't peel a banana for a 5-year-old. Teach them skills rather than do it for them.
Don't feel responsible for being your child's complete entertainment crew.
Don't use technology as the cure for boredom.
Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants
Turn off your phones until kids are in bed
Be your child's emotional coach. Teach them to recognize and deal with frustration and anger
Teach greetings, eye contact, turn taking, sharing, table manners and how to make conversation....'

I found myself nodding in agreement with many of the points raised, as well as feeling guilty about some of the practices outlined that we have lived out as parents as well.

I know in our home, when we limit and in fact take away ICT, our kids tend to play together more, be more creative and active in their play, get outside more, get along better for longer and after a period of 'detox' not miss it.

Some pretty good reasons to reduce use and increase human interaction.

St Finn Barr's:
NAIDOC Week Pray Liturgy