childhood

In Ayurveda, childhood is considered the Kapha phase, a period in which the earth element plays a significant role. Children gain substance, their tissues multiply, and they grow. Today, we parents face an ever-increasing challenge to remain relaxed with everything that comes our way and all the tasks we have to tackle.

What is particularly important for children in their development?

Relaxed parents :-)

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

The eight-hour day, adopted by Robert Owen with the slogan "Eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure and relaxation, and eight hours of sleep," is also followed by TCM, Ayurveda, and herbal medicine. And how do we do that? First, let's take a look at our current daily routine. How is it structured? Perhaps write down: How many hours do you spend on office work and work around the home, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.? How many hours do you sleep? How many hours do you have "free time"?

This can sometimes get mixed up, and cooking, baking, or decorating becomes a leisure activity. It's just a matter of observing and looking from above to see if you have enough time for relaxation in your daily life and whether and how you can integrate this time.

Every type - every individual - faces completely different challenges.

Pitta parents

For Pitta people, for example, it is a great challenge to tackle goals they have previously pursued with ambition and motivation, step by step. If something doesn't go as planned, the Pitta type becomes a rather unpleasant fellow. Here it is important to find your happy medium. In your free time, it would be good to take a more relaxed view of yourself and your life and practice tolerance. Pitta types get stressed very quickly, especially with children! But being aware of this is a start. Observing yourself here and withdrawing and taking a deep breath before your inner fire erupts into a volcano. In this way, dear Pitta person, you practice dealing with your own feelings more calmly and become a predictable parent who is able to model relaxation.

A diet rich in sweet, bitter, and astringent flavors can also help – avoiding heating foods – 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 forehead pour are also recommended.

Vata parents

Vata people tend to react strongly to change. Change and a hectic lifestyle can overstimulate or overwhelm you. Your Vata dominance in your basic constitution ensures a high level of sensitivity in both your body and mind. Because you are curious and enthusiastic, you quickly take on too much. A busy day with work, household, children, and your many personal interests is extremely demanding. The children have hobbies and interests that you naturally want to indulge. You make everything possible, want to support them, every day is different, your schedule is full from morning to night, and you are on the go a lot. You risk being overwhelmed, nervousness, and stress if you take on too much! What can help with a Vata imbalance? Regularity. Amazingly, routines are good for children and us alike.Things we can all rely on: a fixed daily routine, structured, consistent meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ideally at roughly the same times), and relaxing leisure activities like being creative with painting, playing in the pool, or crafts, walks, or yoga. Yoga with children would certainly be a great idea and a nice addition to your new daily routine. And how would you feel about mutual oil massages on the weekend?

Kapha parents

Kapha-type people tend to have a heavy build, are generally balanced and agreeable, and not easily upset. They are well-equipped for everyday life with children, endowed with calm and composure. But beware! With such a strong focus on rest in everyday life, the active part of life risks being forgotten. Children are in their Kapha phase of life (approximately up to the age of nine).

Restricted flexibility and aversion to change—physical inactivity also leads to an even lower digestive fire. Obesity, lack of exercise, depression, and distraction are the consequences.

Movement, energy, activity—preferably in the fresh air—and regular, motivating exercise sessions should help prevent a permanent state of inertia from setting in. While rest certainly has its benefits, add some variety to your daily routine every day! Swimming, cycling, running, or dancing are all great sports that can work wonderfully with children.

And one more thing: "You eat what you've filled up!" should not be taken into account in cases of Kapha disorder and obesity.