Installing Healthy Habits Into Our Children
What are habits?
Habits are programs of the subconscious. They are automatic responses to our environment. When we enter certain conditions, our minds are triggered into that particular program and bring forth our habits of thought, feelings and behaviours for those particular conditions.
We have programmed habits of thoughts, feelings and behaviour and our children are developing theirs, by watching us! No pressure 😊
Sometimes we have patterns of thought feeling and behaviour that we would rather not have.
Let’s look at how habits are formed in our children.
Your children are also creating their own subconscious programs of habits of thought, feeling and behaviour. The first seven years of their life, their brains waves are in a constant state of hypnosis (Alpha and Theta) which means they are suggestible to their environment and create these habits in order to survive. And we know the brain waves are perfectly wired for this absorption of learning to happen.
Children as mimics
Children are mimics, and we often see this as cute – without realising the significance of their need to mimic. Fundamentally it helps them to connect with their environment – primarily us – and learn how to behave in their environment to survive. This is wisely orchestrated by mother nature through what we now know as mirror neurons.
So this is a precious time, worthy of becoming conscious about what habits you would like to support them to install.
Babies can imitate behaviour two to three weeks after they’re born.
It makes sense that infants would do this, as it is one of their significant methods of learning. Our infant’s survival depends on being able to mimic the social group – it always boils down to survival.
So become aware of what you are modelling
This awareness can create a lot of pressure in us as parents when we realise how much we are passing onto our children. Use this information as motivation to get more conscious and allow your children to show you what you are like. Remember to laugh at yourself along the way – your children will always be your greatest teachers.
Reflection Time
Make a list of the habits you would like your child to develop?
Perhaps put them in 3 columns – habits of thought, feeling, behaviour?
Now ask yourself this question – Do you model these habits? Ouch, yes it can be a bit confronting when we would like our children to do what we say – not as we do 😊
Imagine your child is learning all about life by watching you, and only you. Is that good news? Or are you feeling concerned by that notion.
What are the good habits of thought, feeling and behaviour your child would pick up?
What are the not so good habits you could be installing?
Time to get reflective dear ones and explore where the work needs to be done.
Go gently and compassionately, this is not an excuse to give yourself a hard time, but rather a moment to get conscious.
It’s such a shame we can’t just upload a program and be done with it! 😊
PS If you would like some help with your own subconscious programming, then we can support you through a powerful therapy called, Rapid Transformational Therapy. For more information, visit;