As parents we have been led to believe that we know what is best for our children and we do, to a degree. But it is our children themselves, that know what they need.
I guess it doesn't help that we get very confused when it comes to what we actually want and what we need. This is something we pass onto our children, as they observe us in our day to day lives.
Newborns, know what they need, they are well aware of their needs and will let you know if they re not being met. It's quite simple really, it's as we get older that things get more complicated.
When we begin to introduce more options, complicating what we want with what we need. Look at the food we eat, the huge variety that is available to us. Most of which, is for comfort only though, cos it certainly isn't for health reasons.
I remember reading somewhere, how we have evolved in such a way, that we now have two stomachs, well not two physical ones. But instead how we have evolved to place where we ignore what our body actually needs and instead we try to give t what it is craving, unaware what those cravings are our bodies way of trying to get us to feed it natural foods. Instead of the processed shite that so many of us consume.
There is a reason why we never stay full for long when we eat it, because our bodies have not received what they need. And so the cycle continues.
Our need for nourishment, turns into our desire for food that tastes a certain way. That fulfils a desire for sweetness mostly.
As our children grow, they will naturally go for foods that their bodies need. That is if we let them tell us what they need, whilst also not purchasing processed foods. Children crave fruits mainly. Fruits are full of vitality and it takes our bodies almost no time to digest them and turn them into energy.
It can be hard to take a back sit and let your child tell you what they need, to trust that they do actually know what is best for them.
We as adults, take far too much control from them. It's how we were brought up, so we mostly know no different. And we certainly don't want anyone to think that we spoil our children, by letting them call the shots. And to a certain degree we don't.
But what is the point of forcing a child to eat something they don't want to or to go to bed at a certain time.
When it comes to the food our children eat, we decide what we buy and what is available in the home, if you really don't want them eating sugar for example, then don't buy it. If fruit is the only snack available, then they will eat it.
We are the ones that introduce them to unnatural foods, that is our responsibility. Just like it is the same for how they live. What they do with that experience should be up to them though. Because in the end, it is one of the best ways to help them learn about self responsibility.
The same goes for screens, if you do not wish your child to be in front of one, then don't have any available in your home. These are choices we do have.
One of our biggest responsibilities as a parent, is to provide a stimulating environment, for our children. For me, there is nothing better than nature itself. Where children can let their imaginations soar and trust me, that is what they really want.
To be able to explore and learn, to teach themselves. To be confident n their own abilities. To be able to make decisions for themselves, instead of having them all made for them.
We need to let our children tell us what they need, what is important for them, because we do not always know, how could we. We only really know, what we ourselves need. If you wish to the nurture the individual, within your child, then treat them like one. They are very much their own person.
Our kids are so intuitive, we would do well to follow them sometimes. Because they can help us, reconnect to our own intuition.
