How centered is your child?

As moms, we always strive to find the perfect balance (a never ending challenge!). When we are not balanced, we end up having anxiety, getting depressed, overeating, or turning to some other entity to cure our feeling of imbalance. Everyone deals with problems in different ways but our bodies have a way of reflecting the truth. Our bodies let us know when things are out of whack.
So,what about our children? Children need balance too. If they are not balanced, you will see evidence of problems such as outbursts or overeating (just a few examples). Follow your mothers intuition and if you see continuous problems, make a change. Here are some ideas to help you along.
child related topics
1. Engage in interactive activities with your children and limit computer/watching for you and your child. Children need love, your love and attention. Spend quality time with them.
2. Enroll your child in Martial arts or Yoga. More and more people are beginning to see the benefits of these schools of discipline for their children. These activities will help your child learn self discipline, relaxation, and yes...balance!
3. Spirituality. Whatever it is you believe in, having an outside entity to lean on can relieve pressure and help your child to forgive themselves.
4. Donate/volunteer. Teaching children to give to others helps them learn empathy. Seeing others in need can open their eyes to the challenges the others go through.
5. Focus conversations on child related topics and avoid adult issues when possible. It's really hard sometimes but we need to realize that some of the topics we are discussing with (or around) our kids can have a negative impact on them. Children should mostly focus on child related issues...taking turns, playing nicely, self discipline, cooperation, etc.

Paying attention to our own bodies is so important. If we learn to recognize when we need more balance (ie. exercise, talking to someone, alone time, eating healthier, change in a job, etc.) then it will be easier to recognize our children's needs. Being perfectly balalnced is impossible, but feeling centered will improve quality of life and lead to many successes (for you and your child!)