Holistic parenting

Being mindful of your children's development is very important. It will aid in making the right decisions when it comes to their development. One way to do this is through holistic parenting. Holistic parenting emphasises focusing on the child as a whole. This involves focusing on their mind, body and spirit.



Mind, body, and spirit

“When I hear the word holistic, I think about the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the child. Taking care of a child as a whole,” said Beaulah Boois-Beukes, a mother of three.

She added that for her, holistic parenting entails having an honest and democratic approach, highlighting that it is important to focus on every facet of a child.

“Should my child be academically inclined, I’d focus on rearing in that direction. Or be it sports, then I'd highlight those aspects of practicing and becoming better at their chosen sporting activities,” she said.

She further highlighted that one of the biggest tools she uses for holistic parenting is leading by example and insists that she wants her children to be honest, so she practices honesty with them as well. When she says she will do something, she does not make excuses but follows through, she added.



Steps to holistic parenting

According to the website ParentCo, one of the most important things to do is to open up your child's world.

One of the characteristics of openness is curiosity. Despite what most believe, curiosity must be encouraged or it will eventually die. Multiple advantages have been linked to curiosity. According to some research, scholastic ability, intellect and curiosity are all closely related.

Other research found that curiosity fosters creativity and is just as crucial to academic success as IQ.

In addition, the website advised encouraging your youngster to accept themselves. Self-acceptance is one of the behaviours that is least exercised by parents, although it may be the secret to a child's happy and holistic life, according to some academics.

One of a parents' essential responsibilities is to help their children form a healthy self-image. Even though it could be challenging, how you speak to your child can influence them throughout their childhood and beyond.

One way to aid your youngster in developing a positive self-image includes saying things like "yes, you can", "I know you can do it", "wow, how did you think of that?"

Inform your youngster that they can rely on you by saying things things like: "Let's talk about it"; "I'm here, I'll always be here"; "I am listening".

Also establish realistic standards. Don't demand more of your child than they are capable of.



Communication

“I try to incorporate a little bit of everything, which includes taking care of their mental health - like having check-in sessions with a child psychologist, especially when dealing with changes, including changes in the family dynamic,” Boois-Beukes said.

This, she added, can include support when a child is changing grades to help them find coping mechanisms and releases to deal with their ever-changing environment.

Boois-Beukes added that it is important to ask questions beyond “how was school?” like asking more in-depth questions like how their teachers treat them and how they relate to friends and classmates, which will allow parents to get to know them "as a thinking and feeling being”.

All the while, make sire that you are engaging and teaching age-appropriate manners and life lessons.