14/03/2026
The world for our children, let alone us, can seem very small in some ways with a continuous stream of social media and constant, instant, access to daily drama.
The daily barrage of messages, images and demands that our children face with school deadlines, exams at all ages, as well as hormonal changes and changes in settings can lead to exhaustion and stress.
These demands are compounded by issues with self perception, based on comparisons with fake presentations that are convincingly real on socials (completely unrealistic ideas around beauty, sexuality and intelligence) and so our next gen are literally not given a moment to think clearly, reflect and take a break. The worst of this is that if we try to intervene we are possibly taking them away from things that make them feel part of a group – that is they are convinced that they need that intravenous drip of swiping images to keep them included. Ever felt like the bad guy for taking your tween or teen off social media or gaming and making them go to bed at a reasonable time?
What can we do then?
We can teach by example. If your loved one sees you taking time to walk outside, nourish yourself with water and fruits and veg and good proteins, read, listen to music, do something creative, connect with loved ones, sit and loook at the sky and exercise they will notice – you may think they dont but you are creating a path that they are slowly imbibing and taking note of – it may not seem like it – but if you show them that that walk “cleared your head,” or the gym session “made me feel stronger” and that chat with Granny was “so funny,” they will learn new ways of regulation. It may not take shape immediately but it will slowly gather momentum.
It’s a bit like that message you got as a parent of a toddler trying new foods – it takes about “12 try’s” to get used to something and that builds new neural pathways and starts to lock in for the future.
Another important part of this journey is regular self care, it may be a once a month reflexology session – excellent for babies, tweens and teens, so they can experience deep relaxation and the calming effect on the nervous system; it may be simple breathing techniques that bring down the sympathetic nervous system – something I used to teach in schools with Heads, Teachers, Assistants and school classes.
If you feel your child or teen could benefit from learning some of these regulating techniques then please do contact me; these are life skills not just for the moment.
samanthakemptherapy.com
