childhood

In Ayurveda, childhood is seen as the Kapha phase, a period in which the earth element plays a significant role. Children gain substance, their tissues multiply, and they grow. We parents today face an ever-increasing challenge of remaining relaxed amidst everything that bombards us and all the tasks we have to manage.

What is particularly important for children in their development?

Relaxed parents :-)

It's true! If we observe ourselves, we see that stressed people have an unpleasant, unsettling effect on us. How will our children fare if we are constantly stressed?

The eight-hour workday, championed by Robert Owen with the slogan "Eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure and rest, and eight hours of sleep," is also followed by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and herbal medicine. So how do we achieve this? First, we should take a look at our current daily routine. How is it structured? Perhaps write down: How many hours are you occupied with office work and tasks around the house, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.? How many hours do you sleep? How many hours do you have "free time"?

This can sometimes blend together, and cooking, baking, or decorating can become a leisure activity. The key is to observe and take a step back to see if you have enough relaxation time in your daily routine and how you can integrate it.

Each type of person – each individual – faces completely different challenges.

Pitta parents

For Pitta types, for example, it's a major challenge to tackle goals they've previously pursued with ambition and motivation step by step. If something doesn't go as planned, the Pitta type can become rather unpleasant. The key here is to find your balance. In your free time, it would be good to take a more relaxed approach to yourself and your life and practice tolerance. Pitta types are particularly prone to stress around children! But being aware of this is a good start. Observe yourself and, before your inner fire erupts into a volcano, take a breath. In this way, dear Pitta type, you can practice a calmer approach to your own emotions and become a predictable parent who is able to model relaxation.

Further support can be provided by a diet rich in sweet, bitter, and astringent flavors – heating foods should be avoided – as well as cooling, calming sports such as swimming or yoga, and plenty of fresh air. Treatments such as massages with Pitta-reducing, grounding oils or a Shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead) are also recommended.

Vata parents

Vata types tend to react strongly to change. Changes and a hectic lifestyle can be overstimulating or overwhelming. Your Vata dominance in your constitution makes you highly sensitive to both your body and mind. Because you are curious and enthusiastic, you tend to take on too much too quickly. A busy daily life with work, household chores, children, and your many personal interests is extremely demanding. The children have hobbies and interests that you naturally want to support; you make everything possible, you want to be there for them, every day is different, your schedule is packed from morning till night, and you're constantly on the go. Overwhelm, nervousness, and stress threaten you if you take on too much! What can help with a Vata imbalance? Regularity. Surprisingly, routines are equally beneficial for children and for us.Things we can all rely on: a fixed daily routine, structured and consistent mealtimes (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ideally at roughly the same times), and relaxing leisure activities like creative pursuits such as painting, pool, or crafts, walks, or yoga. Yoga with children would certainly be a great idea and a nice addition to your new daily rhythm. And how would you feel about giving each other oil massages on the weekend?

Kapha parents

People of the Kapha type usually have a heavy build, are generally balanced and agreeable, and are not easily disturbed. They are ideally equipped for everyday life with children, possessing a calm and serene nature. But beware! With such a strong focus on tranquility in daily life, the active aspect of parenting risks being neglected. Children are in their Kapha phase of life (approximately until the age of nine).

Restricted flexibility and an aversion to change are encouraged – physical inactivity also leads to a weaker digestive fire. The consequences are weight gain, lack of exercise, depression, and distractibility.

Movement, energy, activity – ideally outdoors and with regular, motivating exercise sessions – should help prevent a persistent state of inactivity from setting in. While rest certainly has its advantages, be sure to add some variety to your daily routine! Swimming, cycling, running, or dancing are all great sports that can be wonderfully enjoyed with children.

And one more thing: "You eat what you've filled up!" should be disregarded in cases of Kapha imbalance and obesity.