You know when you get lost in a day dream, or you’re in the shower and all those inspirational thoughts are just pouring into your head? Well that is “theta brain,” and that is the normal state of children up until 7 years old. In adults, this is the state of being hypnotized. So it’s like children are hypnotized until they are about 7.
During that period of development, kids often can’t tell the difference between what’s real, and what they imagine… it really is all the same to them. During this time, they are most influenced by their environment. It’s like their sub-conscious is wide open and what they see, feel, do, hear, and experience becomes the sub-conscious foundation for their future.
It is especially important to protect what goes into their little brains at this age. Yelling, screaming, fighting, arguing, loud noises, traumatic events, abandonment, neglect, inappropriate television, movies, or music, and abuse shapes their brain without them possessing the ability to process it.
On a good note, anything positive that happens before age 7 while in this hypnotic state builds a foundation for a happier, healthier life.
After 7, they become more conscious and are in the “alpha” brain. This is when they start to model the adults in their life. They learn directly from the behavior of those around them. You only get a few years of this and then…..
Puberty hits. Listen, once puberty comes, you are no longer able to control your kid. You literally ONLY have until they arrive at puberty to give them a solid foundation with which to survive the teenager years and beyond.
If you have a teenager in crisis, you can get help, but do not wait. The longer your teen remains in crisis, the harder to pull them out.
If your kid does drugs ONE time, intervene and get them help IMMEDIATELY! Do not believe they will “never do it again.” Do not feel pressured to do nothing because your spouse thinks “it’s no big deal.” Do not ignore the problem and think “oh it’s just a phase.” Do not overly coddle your kid because “he might hurt himself or run away if I’m too hard on him.”
These are nothing more than excuses to be a parent who isn’t doing the right thing for her kid.
Drugs, self-injury, suicidal talk, mental illness, blatant misbehavior, risky sexual activity, criminal activity, promiscuity, running away, social isolation, alcoholism, and emotional dysfunctions, are serious issues in young people and need to be addresses immediately. Waiting to address these issues is extremely risky and will most likely make the problems far worse.
I am on a mission to help families raise healthy young people who become great citizens! You can help too by reaching out if you need help, and by spreading the word about what you learn with other families and parents! It’s up to us to change the world…. one family at a time!
Please let me know what you think of this post, and please don’t wait to reach out if you need help with your young person. I look forward to hearing from you!
Love and Inspiration,
Heather
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Even if your child is mentally healthy, he or she IS going to school with a child that isn’t and it can impact YOUR child greatly.
Most children are not born with mental illness. I’m not talking about developmental disabilities like autism, or downs syndrome, I’m talking about mental illness like bi-polar disorder, depression, or anxiety.
Kids are not born depressed or anxious. Usually, they develop these conditions after trauma, or because they live in an unstable environment. Kids who grow up in households with parents who fight exhibit the same symptoms as kids who grow up in war torn countries with bombs going off daily.
Kids who grow up with parents who struggle with mental illness or addiction are almost guaranteed to suffer from mental illness or drug / alcohol addiction themselves. While there are some legitimate mental disorders that a child can develop even in the best of circumstances, the majority of psychological issues come from the environment.
The child that sees mom getting beat up by dad will almost certainly find themselves in an abusive relationship. The child that witnesses a drunk or high parent, will almost certainly abuse drugs or alcohol. The child that caters to a depressed parent that won’t get out of bed, will also struggle with depression. It’s called inter-generational transmission. You are transmitting your choices, behaviors, actions, and problems to your children and it becomes their way of life.
There is some good news though. The parent who makes a conscious effort to get healthy will also impact their kids in a healthy way! Let your kids see you making healthy choices, and they will too! Let your kid see you walking outdoors, throwing out all the cigarettes and beer, getting up off the couch or out of bed, reading self help books, or making changes with the help of a professional coach or therapist.
I can’t tell you how soul crushing it is to see a young person in crisis because of learned helplessness. We bitch and complain about kids these days but WHO is taking a stand to step up and educate young people to be healthy and whole? Today… I am and I hope you will too!
Here’s what we can do:
1 Start at home. If you have challenges, especially psychological issues, GET HELP NOW. Don’t wait another moment. Pick up the phone and schedule an appointment, and start making healthier choices. Do it for yourself and for YOUR future generations who will all be impacted by your choice today!
2 Spread the word. If you know people who are struggling, let them know they can get help! Share this email, or offer them a self help book. Offer to go with them to their first coaching or therapy session, or take them to a self help workshop!
3 Educate your children. Personal growth and development doesn’t have to begin in adulthood. Kids today are super smart and can understand the concepts of taking care of their mental health. All kids need coaches too! They need a trusted adult that they can learn from and lean on besides their parent. Kids with mentors or coaches are 55% more likely to go to college, 130% more likely to hold leadership positions, and are 46% less likely to use drugs!
You DO have the power to impact your self, kids, family, schools, community, and world! Please help me get the word out so we can make a difference. Every parent we help; is a child that has a better future!
Contact me right now if you want coaching for yourself, your child, or if you need help sharing this message with your local schools or organization!
Spread the love, and live inspired now!
Love,
Heather
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
The greatest gift we give and receive is love. No matter what your struggles are, love is the answer. Love for one another, but even more… to love yourself.
You were created with purpose, love yourself enough to go out and live it!
Last month I had the privilege of speaking at a church in Syracuse, NY about unconditional love. The Apostolic Church was kind enough to let me record my talk, so I get to share it with you here today!
Watch it, share it, spread the love, and live inspired now!
Love,
Heather
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Have you had “the talk” with your kids yet? If you don’t… someone else will! And you don’t want that someone else to be a boy/girl friend with raging hormones!
I think the conversation about sex and our bodies needs to be started when kids are old enough to learn to speak. As little toddlers we teach them the names of our head, shoulders, knees, and toes, so don’t start referring to the other parts as bum bums and winkys. It’s OK to say the real words.
Penis and vagina are not bad words. However, if we make them “bad words” then kids think they are bad body parts, which leads to bad body image.
Watch today’s short video and let me know what you think about this topic! I look forward to your feedback!
There is an entire chapter in my book “Live Inspired Now” on this topic! If you need more help with parenting healthy and happy kids, please scroll down and check it out at the link below!
Watch it, share it, and live inspired now!
Love,
Heather
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!