The therapist begins her writing with this warning:  “I know many would prefer not to have to confront what I say in this article, but your children need you to hear what I have to say. Even those who disagree with my perspective, I urge you to put into practice the recommendations I share at the end of the article. When you see the positive changes in your child’s life, you will understand why I say what I say!”

There is a  silent tragedy  unfolding right now in our homes, affecting our most precious treasures: our children. After treating hundreds of children and families in my work as an occupational therapist, I am witnessing a tragedy happening before my very eyes. The emotional state of our children is horrendous! I have spoken with teachers and other professionals, and they share similar concerns. Even worse, over the past 15 years, research has produced alarming statistics of a sharp and steady increase in childhood mental illness, which is now almost an epidemic.

• • 1 in 5 children has mental health problems
• • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased by 43%
• • Teenage depression increased by 37%
• • The suicide rate among children aged 10 to 14 increased by 100%.

How to solve this problem?

If we want our children to grow up to be happy and healthy individuals, we need to wake up and  return to the basics . It’s still possible! I know this because hundreds of my clients see positive changes in their children’s emotional state within weeks (even days in some cases) after implementing these recommendations:

• •  Set boundaries  and remember that you are your child’s mother or father, not their friend.
• • Provide your children with a balanced lifestyle based on  what they need, not just what they want .
• •  Don’t be afraid to say “NO”  to your children if what they want is not what they need.
• •  Provide  nutritious and natural foods .
• •  Spend 1 hour a day in green spaces  cycling, walking, fishing, bird and insect watching.
• • Enjoy a  technology-free family dinner  every day.
• • Play a  board game  every day.
• •  Have your children fulfill one chore a day  (folding clothes, putting away toys, hanging up clothes, putting away food after buying it, setting the table, etc.)
• •  Establish a bedtime routine that ensures your child gets a long night’s sleep in a bedroom free of technology.
• •  Teach them responsibility and independence.  Don’t overprotect them from minor mistakes. Help them acquire the skills needed to overcome life’s biggest challenges.
• Do  n’t pack your child’s backpack , don’t carry it for them, don’t bring their lunch or planner to school if they forgot it, and don’t peel a banana for a 5-year-old. Teach your children skills instead of doing things for them.
• •  Teach them to delay gratification,  and give them opportunities to be  “bored ,” since boredom is when creativity awakens.
• •  Don’t feel that you are responsible  for your child’s entertainment.
• •  Don’t use technology  as a solution to boredom.
• •  Avoid using technology  during meals, in the car, restaurants, and shopping malls. Use these moments as opportunities to train your children’s brains and teach them how to function in “boring times.”
• •  Help them create a “boredom first aid kit”  containing activity ideas for when “I’m bored”.
• •  Be emotionally available and communicate  with your children, teach them social skills and how to control themselves.
• •  Turn off your phone  until the children are in bed, thus preventing you from being distracted by a digital tool.
• •  Become your child’s emotional coach.  Teach them to recognize and cope with frustration and anger.
• •  Teach them how to greet , take turns, share, have empathy, table manners, and conduct a conversation.
• •  Connect emotionally:  smile, hug, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, or crawl with your child.

We need to make changes in our children’s lives before this entire generation of kids is drowning in medication! It’s not too late yet, but it soon will be…

By Victoria Prooday, Occupational Therapist. Spanish translation by Johanna Perez Ray. Published on her  blog.

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If you’re interested in this topic, we recommend our eBook  “Loving Parenting: Guidelines for the Harmonious Development of Your Children from 0 to 8 Years Old .” This book is the essential guide you need to provide an environment filled with love, security, and stimulation.  Buy it now here.