Written by Jennifer Cox LCPC
A positive relationship between parents and their children has a positive effect on everyone’s mental health. Here are ways to help ensure a healthy relationship that supports your children:
- Listen to your child without distractions, have conversations with your undivided attention, that demonstrates that you are interested in what they are discussing and it teaches healthy respectful communication.
- If they have an inappropriate emotional response to a situation, validate them, help them explain how they feel, and how a different response might look next time.
- Tell your child that you love them, but most importantly show them in your actions too – Be invested in them.
- Create memories doing special activities together, spend quality time together. Be creative with it.
- Maintain structure in your home with routines, such as a morning time, after school, and bedtime. Children thrive with consistency, this will help reduce stress by knowing when certain things will occur.
- Encourage your child to be social, get involved in activities to develop strong communication skills, social intelligence, and confidence.
- If you have multiple children, remember to spend 1:1 time with each of them. Understand that they are unique and have different personalities, get to know them.
Here are a few ways to start having conversations about what their thoughts are during certain situations and how they are feeling – Validating along the way.
- Dinner time: A good conversation starter is to discuss the good/likes and bad/dislikes of the day. Process the good and bad topics of the day by asking what happened, would they have liked to have done something different, if they learned anything by the situations, etc.
- Ask open ended questions where they have to give an answer, not yes or no such as, “How are you feeling today, try to describe it?” (Find a feeling wheel to use) or “What’s your favorite thing to do at recess?” prompt kids to give more than just a quick answer.
- Bring up topics relevant to their age – This gives them opportunities to develop their ability to express their emotions. Share your thoughts and emotions too, let them ask you questions.
- Do a little research on areas they enjoy – Ask questions, explore these areas with them.
- Before engaging with them, give them time to decompress after school, work, sports, etc.
The best way for parents to help their children through day to day life is to talk to them, ask questions, be there, let them know you are present not just physically but mentally.
Let’s Empower children to Cope and Heal!
Remember – No one is immune to mental health issues and it’s okay to reach out for help if you are struggling.
Get in touch with us today to get started, contact us at info@echcounseling.com or 815-363-0864.
