Childhood

In Ayurveda, childhood is seen as the Kapha phase, a phase in which the earth element has great importance. The children gain substance, the tissue multiplies, they grow. These days, we parents have an ever-increasing challenge to stay relaxed despite everything that comes our way and all the tasks we have to deal with.

What is particularly important for children in their development?

Relaxed parents :-)

Really true! If we observe ourselves, stressed-out people have an unpleasant, worrying effect on us. How should our children feel 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 of all, we should take a look at our current everyday life. How is this structured? Maybe write down: How many hours do you spend on office work and work around the home, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc. busy? How many hours do you sleep? How many hours of “free time” do you have?

This can sometimes mix and cooking, baking or decorating becomes a leisure activity. All you have to do is observe and see from above whether you have enough times for relaxation in your everyday life and whether and how you can integrate these times.

For every type - every individual faces completely different challenges.

Pitta parents

For Pitta people, for example, it is a great challenge to approach goals step by step that they have already pursued with ambition and motivation. If something doesn't go as planned, the Pitta type becomes a rather unpleasant companion. Here it is important to find your golden mean. In your free time it would be good to see yourself and your life a little more relaxed and to practice tolerance. The Pitta type gets stressed very quickly, especially with children! But awareness of this is a start. To observe yourself here and to retreat and breathe deeply before your inner fire erupts into a volcano. In this way, dear Pitta person, you can practice dealing with your own feelings more calmly and become a predictable parent who is able to model relaxation.

A diet with sweet, bitter and tart tastes can also help - hot foods should be avoided, as well as cooling, calming sports such as swimming or yoga and lots of fresh air. Applications such as massages with Pitta-reducing, grounding oils or a forehead pour are also recommended.

Vata parents

Vata people usually react strongly to changes. Changes and a restless lifestyle can be overstimulating or overwhelming. Your Vata dominance in your basic constitution ensures a high level of sensitivity towards your body and also your mind. Because you are curious and enthusiastic, you quickly get involved in too much. A busy everyday life with work, household, children and your many interests is extremely busy. The children have hobbies and interests that you of course want to take into account, you make everything possible, you want to support them, every day is different, the schedule is full from morning to evening, you are on the go a lot. You are at risk of being overwhelmed, nervous and stressed if you load yourself up too much! What can help with a Vata imbalance? Regularity. Surprisingly, routines are equally good for children and us. Things we can all rely on, a fixed daily routine, a structured, consistent intake of food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, preferably approx. at the same times) and relaxing leisure activities such as being creative with painting, pools or crafts, walks or yoga. Yoga with children would certainly be a great idea and a nice program item in your new daily routine. And how would you like mutual oil massages on the weekend?

Kapha parents

People of the Kapha type usually have a heavy build, are usually balanced and tolerable and are not easily disturbed. They are well prepared for everyday life with children and are equipped with peace and serenity. But be careful! With the strong focus on peace and quiet in everyday life, the active part is in danger of being forgotten. Children are in their Kapha phase of life (approx. up to the age of nine).

Reducing flexibility and promoting an aversion to change - physical inactivity also brings with it even lower digestive fire. Obesity, little exercise, depression and absent-mindedness are the result.

Exercise, energy, activity - ideally in the fresh air and regular motivating sports sessions should help prevent a permanent state of inertia from setting in. Even if peace and quiet definitely has its advantages: add some variety to your daily routine every day! Swimming, cycling, running or dancing are all great sports that can work wonderfully together with the children.

And one more thing: "You eat what you filled up!" Should not be taken into account if you have a Kapha disorder or are overweight.