VICTORIA PRUDY
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, PSYCHOTHERAPIST
I was born in Ukraine, in Vinnitsa. Then I lived in Israel for eight years, and for the last twenty years I’ve been living in Canada. I graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School with a degree in Occupational Therapy.
WHAT DOES THIS PROFESSION INVOLVE?
Occupational Therapy is a field of medicine that aims to assist a person in everyday life, in the processes of development and restoration or maintenance of lost (for any reason) skills necessary for performing actions that are important and significant for the health and well-being of a given individual. In addition, I am a Psychotherapist.
WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE UNIQUE AND EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND PARENTS. WHAT DOES THAT WORK INVOLVE?
Unfortunately, modern families have big problems in the process of raising children. Over the past fifteen years, the statistics regarding mental disorders among children is, to put it mildly, not encouraging: Every fifth child has a mental disorder, the number of children with attention deficit disorder has significantly increased, and adolescent depression is becoming increasingly common.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN?
First and foremost, we need to have the courage see the truth about their children. And also to admit that not all children are born with their challenges, and we can’t blame everything on the schools. In many cases the parents themselves have contributed to many of the challenges their children face. Yes, there are and always have been children born with disabilities who experience difficulties in everyday life. These are NOT the children in question. I am worried about children whose parents, despite having only good intentions, are themselves to blame for the fact that their children are becoming problematic. From my experience, as soon as parents reconsider their position regarding the upbringing process, their children change.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT PARENTS ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM?
Modern children are deprived of the usual simple things that are the key to successful parenting: They lack parents who consistently and warmly ommunicate with them. Children must have responsibilities, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, movement and fresh air, and creative games. Instead, children have permanently busy parents who, in order to free themselves of responsibility, spoil the children and permit them almost anything they want. Children don’t usually know what their real, healthy needs are need. As a result, their food is not balanced, they don’t get enough sleep and they spend much of their time at home where they are provided with an endless steam of digital entertainment and instant gratification
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RAISE A HEALTHY GENERATION IN SUCH UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS?
Of course not! It is impossible to circumvent human nature: There is no replacement to spending adequate time and quality time with our children. When this most basic need is neglected, the consequences are catastrophic and as a result, children grow up problematic.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO AS PARENTS?
If we want our children to grow up happy and healthy, we need to reconsider our position regarding their upbringing. It’s never too late. Set restrictions and remember that you are the parent of the child, not his or her friend. Provide children with what they need, not what they want. Do not be afraid to refuse them if their desires are not in tune with their needs. Feed them healthy food and limit sweets. Make sure they spend at least an hour a day outdoors, preferable together with you. Have a family dinner every day where use of electronic devices is prohibited. Play board games with them. Establish daily responsibilities and routines (folding clothes, putting away toys, organizing their schoolbags, setting the table, etc.). Put your child to bed at the same time, and don’t let them bring gadgets into bed. Teach children responsibility and independence. Do not protect them from small failures, which strengthen them and teaches them to be resilient and overcome life’s challenges. Do not carry their schoolbag for them, do not bring them forgotten food or homework to school, do not peel a banana for a five year old child. Children should do things on their own. They should be challenged. Do not give your child constant entertainment. Do not use technology as a cure for boredom. Let children learn to engage and entertain themselves. Do not deprive children of warm, friendly communication. When you are spending time and speaking with them, do not get distracted by phone calls or texts. Teach your child social skills: He must be able to cope with anger and irritation. Teach them to greet, to compromise, to share, to sympathize, and to exhibit proper manners at the table and during conversations. Keep an emotional connection with your child: Smile, embrace, play with him, read to him and dance together!
It is necessary to change the environment in which we raise and educate our children, otherwise a whole generation of children will grow up on pills! It's not too late, but time is running out.
