by Judy Dyer
If you suspect that your child is an empath, do not be surprised if they suddenly act out from time to time. If they are having meltdowns or tantrums on a regular basis, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Think like a detective. Are there any triggers that reliably predict “bad” behavior? Take your child’s complaints seriously – if they tell you that they don’t like strong light or smells, believe them!
Let anyone else who cares for your child know that they are an empath or, if this concept is alien to the person in question, that your child is unusually sensitive and requires a few minor adjustments. For example, if they attend a daycare center, you should let the staff know that they are liable to become overwhelmed during high-energy games and might require some time out to calm themselves down.
Under no circumstances should you shout at a young empath, use harsh punishments, or resort to abusive tactics such as name-calling. These approaches are destructive anyway, but when the child in question is an empath they are likely to cause long-lasting damage. If you lose your temper, apologize immediately. Take full responsibility for your own conduct.
Create Soothing Environments
Make sure that an empathic child has a safe space they can call their own, and allow them to retreat when they need some alone time in which to relax and recharge their batteries. If they need to spend ten or twenty minutes in their room then let them, even if you have family or friends over.
Empathic children may require more time to wind down and get ready for sleep at the end of a busy day. Their nervous systems are more easily stimulated than those of typical children, and just telling them to get into bed and close their eyes is unlikely to result in a good night’s rest!
It’s a good idea to schedule a bedtime routine to help them relax. For example, you could prepare them a bath with calming essential oils, tell them a familiar bedtime story, and encourage them to reflect on the best things that happened that day.
Help Them Prepare For The Harsher Realities Of Life
Caring for an empathic child can be heartbreaking at times because their gentle, kind hearts are easily bruised when they realize how much suffering exists in the world. They are also more susceptible to hurt feelings if and when an argument breaks out in their social circle. An empathic child might struggle to understand why other children seem to hurt one another because they could never behave in such a cruel manner.
It’s natural and normal, as a parent or caregiver, to try to shield a child from pain. Unfortunately, although it may work in the short term, you will be doing them a disservice in the long run. An empath who is not taught how to work with their gift and handle their emotions early in life is at risk for depression, anxiety, and confusion later on when they come up against the harsh realities of the world.
You cannot solve the world’s problems, but you can keep the lines of communication open with your child. When they pick up on signs of tension and emotional turmoil, whether it’s at home or school, give them the chance to talk about it. Encourage them to express themselves fully – feelings are there to be felt, after all. It’s far healthier to teach them coping strategies early on. This empowers them because they know that they can handle almost anything life throws their way.
Give Them Practical Techniques They Can Use
So how can you equip a young empath with the tools they need to thrive in a harsh world?
First, teach them how to meditate, and the importance of taking at least a few minutes each day to ground themselves. Children are more receptive to new ideas than adults, and you probably won’t have to spend much time and energy persuading them to try it out. Why not schedule joint meditation time each day? This will not only help them develop a positive habit that will last a lifetime, but it will also deepen your bond.
Second, help them learn to verbalize their emotions, to give them a name, and understand how others’ feelings exert a direct effect on their moods. Emphasize that it’s important to choose healthy friends who are usually happy and to spend time with people who leave them feeling energized instead of down.
Unfortunately, empaths of all ages are favorite targets for energy vampires and abusers of all kinds. Teach your young empath how to build boundaries, to set their own standards for relationships, and to walk away from people who wish them harm. Make a point of telling them that they can always come to you if they want or need advice on how to handle a toxic friend or bully. Practice saying “No,” and use role play to rehearse how your child can extricate themselves from difficult situations.
Model the kind of behavior you want to see in your child. Do not deny your own feelings, make time for yourself when you get overwhelmed, and draw firm boundaries when others try to take advantage of you. Children are keen observers, and they look to their parents and caregivers for guidance.
If you are living in a home where two or more people frequently get into fights, take steps to address the problem. Young empaths pick up on tension in their living environment, and this can result in serious psychological and physical illness. Family counseling may be necessary in some situations.
Teenage Empaths
The teen years are challenging for almost everyone, and they pose special challenges for empaths. It is natural and normal for teens to seek acceptance from their peers, to break away from their families, and create their own identities. It is normal to experience heightened, turbulent emotions during this period. However, normal teenage problems can spiral into long-lasting psychological turmoil for an unsupported young empath.
Peer pressure is a real problem for teenagers. In their desire to gain their peers’ approval, they may agree to take part in risky activities such as drinking, smoking, underage sex, and reckless driving. Fear of peer rejection can drive even mature empaths to put themselves in danger. For their own protection, they must understand the importance of strong boundaries and saying “No.” If they haven’t developed this ability by the time they enter adolescence, don’t worry. It’s never too late to learn.
Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems often surface for the first time in adolescence. This means that young empaths may have to deal not only with their own mental health problems but also those of their friends. As naturally caring individuals, they will feel inclined to offer a listening ear or shoulder to cry on. This is an admirable response, but the young empath can soon feel overwhelmed by the sheer strength of a friend’s emotions.
A transparent, nonjudgmental approach is best. Educate your teen about the difference between normal teenage emotions and adolescent mental health problems. Teach them how to spot signs of mental illness in themselves and others, and tell them where and how to get help. Bear in mind that they might not feel comfortable talking to you, so tell them that you will not be offended if they choose to seek guidance elsewhere.
If they are supporting a friend, praise their kindness but, at the same time, emphasize the importance of setting personal boundaries. If their friend is draining their own emotional reservoirs, it’s time to point them in the direction of professional help. Reassure your teen that they cannot be expected to “save” their friend and, sometimes, calling on the services of a qualified adult is the best step to take.
In summary, the early years of an empath’s life are key to their wellbeing as adults. Young empaths quickly realize that they hold special abilities. If they are not supported by the adults around them, an empath can feel lonely or even alienated from others. Fortunately, with gentle guidance and nurturing, they will come to appreciate and enjoy their amazing gift.
Conclusion
There is much more to being an empath than what you have read in this book. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Your journey has just begun, and you will continue to grow in your gift, meet others, and read more to enhance your knowledge. When you are unable to control your gift, it can often feel like a curse; after all, who wants to feel continuously drained, unwell, and exhausted? It can be difficult for you to manage at first, but as y
ou learn to embrace and have power over your gift, you will eventually learn how to use it to leverage and enhance your life. You may even decide to use your gift to better the lives of others. Many empaths use their gifts as a career and others prefer to be more secretive about it. Whatever you choose to do is up to you, and there is no right or wrong way to use your gift. The most important thing is that you understand that you are not crazy, there is nothing wrong with you and that you can live a happy and healthy life.
It is important that you don’t get offended by people who don’t understand your gift because it really isn’t their fault. Unless the person is an empath, they will find it difficult to comprehend. People will judge you and accuse you of being over-emotional and sensitive, which isn’t wrong, but when it is said in a demeaning way, it can be hurtful. It is essential that you learn to protect yourself against the unwanted energy from these comments.
I hope that you now have a better understanding of your gift and that you embrace every part of it so that your life is enriched day by day.
I wish you all the best on your journey!
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Grasp a better understanding of your gift and how you can embrace every part of it so that your life is enriched day by day.
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Essential Oil Recipes for Anxiety
Quick and Easy Lavender Neck Rub
Ingredients
3 drops of pure lavender
1 teaspoon of fractioned almond or coconut oil
Directions
Combine the lavender oil, almond and coconut oil in the palm of your hands and rub directly onto your neck. You can also rub the mixture onto the soles of your feet; this is particularly effective before bedtime.
Men’s Cologne
Ingredients
5 drops of cedarwood essential oil
3 drops of bergamot essential oil
2 drops of sandalwood essential oil
8 ounces of 70 percent alcohol
Glass cologne tube or glass roll on tube
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in the cologne tube or glass roll, shake together thoroughly and use whenever required.
Frankincense and Myrrh Lotion
This homemade body lotion made from a mixture of frankincense and myrrh is a fantastic recipe. Not only does it alleviate anxiety symptoms but it also hydrates the skin with essential nutrients and vitamins.
Ingredients
¼ cup of olive oil
¼ cup of coconut oil
¼ cup of beeswax
¼ cup of shea butter
2 tablespoons of vitamin E
20 drops of frankincense essential oil
20 drops of myrrh essential oil
Plastic lotion dispenser bottles
Directions
Combine shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil and olive oil in a bowl.
Add some water to a large saucepan and heat over a medium temperature until the water starts to boil. Place the bowl into the saucepan and heat the ingredients at the same time as stirring the mixture.
Remove the bowl from the stove and place it in the fridge for an hour until it becomes solid.
Remove the mixture from the fridge and use an electric hand mixer to whisk the ingredients until fluffy. Combine the vitamin E and the essential oils and continue to mix.
Add to the plastic lotion dispenser bottles and store in a cool place.
Lavender Soap Homemade Bar
This homemade bar of lavender soap not only provides relief from anxiety but is also extremely beneficial for the skin. It’s simple to make, free from chemicals and easy on the pocket.
Ingredients
20-30 drops of lavender essential oil
Soap base
3 drops of vitamin E
Decorative soap mold or oval bar molds
Directions
Add water to a large pan and heat it over a medium temperature until it starts to boil.
Add the soap base to a glass bowl and then place the bowl in the saucepan until the base has melted.
Take the bowl out of the saucepan and allow it to cool down. Add the vitamin E and the lavender and stir together thoroughly.
Transfer the mixture into a soap mold and allow it to cool down and become completely solid before removing it from the soap mold. Store the soap at room temperature.
