Physical Well-Being

Parents and carers raising children face many challenges. A positive approach from parents through the various transitions in the lives of children and young people may help you improve your overall sense of well-being.

Positivity breeds confidence

Research has shown that when parents feel positive about themselves as people it increases their self-esteem and confidence in the parent role. Regardless of whether parents are living together or apart, a joint parenting approach towards their child’s development contributes towards the psychological well-being of their child. This joint approach helps both parents maintain positive relationships with their children. Parents should aim to ensure their child’s physical and mental well-being is maintained. This can include encouraging your child to take part in exercise, engage in hobbies, eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep and have time for fun with friends and family. The promotion of physical and mental wellbeing is likely to result in your child having confidence, positive self-esteem, and strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Developing mental wellbeing

Your child’s well-being depends on a number of factors. These can include living in a family with good problem-solving skills and positive communication skills. Parents can demonstrate this by expressing themselves freely and in an open manner within the household. Parents can also give their children an adequate amount of responsibility appropriate to their age such as giving them tasks to help increase their independence. It is helpful for children to be educated in general about their safety outside the home and have an opportunity to reflect on risk-taking behaviours, should they engage in them or not. Your child will go through a lot of physical and mental changes in their life. It is helpful if parents can educate their children on their physical development and growth, as the teenage years are a time of a lot of change and transition.

Navigating the teenage years

Teenagers can have a lot of queries about their development and sexuality so it is helpful and supportive for parents or guardians to be available to help discuss any issues their child may have on their mind. Encouraging a healthy attitude towards their development will likely help to install confidence in them at a time when they are experiencing many changes. You may find it helpful to encourage your child to engage in some form of exercise, as well as maintaining a healthy diet. This can result in high levels of concentration for school and activities. Parents participating in an activity such as a simple walk with their child can enhance a positive parent-child relationship and model the benefits of exercise as a lifestyle.

Finding support

While looking after your child’s physical health, it is also crucial to look after your own mental health. Your child will face many challenges in their life so they will need to feel safe supported and understood by their parents. It is easiest to provide this support if you have first tended to your own well-being. You may find it helpful to have contact with other parents for mutual peer support and information-sharing. It is important that your child feels as though they can talk about any issues with you and that you will listen to them and help them to express their feelings and any worries they may have. You can read how we presented information about keeping physically healthy to children and young people through our Childline.ie site here.