For Our Children

Shot by my friend Abdi and edited by me.

We need to start taking the mental health of our children seriously. The popular belief is that having a child is a blessing and a beautiful gift from God. But it is interesting to find that some neglect these beautiful gifts, by not taking the time out during their adult life to become aware of themselves. Consequently, they are incapable of exuding something that they are not aware they haven’t received. Which is love - out of maybe  many other things. As the popular saying goes - ‘you cannot give what you do not have’.

(By 'adults' I am referring to those who have the accessibility, and a close form of relationship to a child/teenager)

However what I do believe is that if we take the time to understand ourselves, then we can at least begin a learning process where we have the correct information to take the necessary steps in preventing these faults from reoccurring. However, it is not easy. It takes hard work and the willingness to accept the uncomfortable truth. But the awareness and the willingness to change, is what is important as we all have flaws; nobody is to judge.

Linking this back to the mental health of children. The point is, we need to create a stable environment for these precious ones, so that they will be able to also have a steady mind to fully actualise into their potential. And to create this environment, we also need to do the work to ensure our mental health is in check,  by tackling our own battles, so that it is not a reflection on our future.

I suggest we learn to be more understanding with our gifts, patient, willing to explain, listen, to be kind but firm when necessary, and in general a positive influence. Hence why there is a clear distinction between the responsibilities of a child and an adult (which is why wisdom is mostly related to older age); because we have been here longer. Thus, we should ideally have a sense of self awareness,  as these young ones are only just developing into their own selves; but we need to realise the impact we have on their journey. So as adults, we have the higher responsibility to  ideally ‘know better and do better’ and then, pass this on to the younger ones.