A child’s first years of life require significant care and attention from their parents. They are the main providers and supporters to their child’s life in the beginning and therefore have the biggest impact on the child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. In fact, the mental health of an infant and toddler is heavily dependent upon the parent-child relationship and their socio emotional growth. When there is a strong parent-child relationship created through trust and affection, a child learns what security and dependency and healthy attachment feels like. Through a nurturing relationship, children are able to learn from their parents how to regulate and express emotions. Yet, in the end, the parent’s well-being ultimately determines the child’s well-being. A parent must be giving themselves the proper self-care in order for their child to receive the support and care they need.
The following are some suggestions on how parents can take care of their health, along with their child’s:
- Try to keep a balanced diet. Eating nutritious foods and drinking lots of water will keep the body energized and fueled.
- Encourage family meals. Sitting down and having family meal time together promotes relational growth in the family.
- Participate in physical activities. Whether it is through an organized sport, or a walk around the neighborhood, getting your body moving benefits your body and brain.
- Maintain regular sleep habits. Getting enough hours of sleep a night (7-8 hours) will not only give your body a rest, but your mind a rest too so it can give maximum effort the following day.
- Seek out psychiatric care when needed to gain full understanding of your mental health and growth.
- Form connections with supportive individuals. Having trusting and caring relationships are vital for everyone to feel supported as they walk through life’s obstacles.
- Take time to relax and practice mindfulness. This can be through yoga, breathing exercises, journaling, or taking a nap.
- Spend time outside and in nature. Immersing yourself with sunlight and fresh air may help clear your mind and the stress in your life.
Overall, parents are the backbone of a child’s health. When children see their parents practicing the above behaviors and actions, they are more likely to follow it. Therefore we need to remember children model the behaviors and attitudes of their parents, and providing them with models of self-care in the early years will enforce to them that mental health is important.
Laura Hinsch
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS
Article Link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/babies/202110/what-does-it-mean-children-and-families-be-healthy