Parenting

Parenting style has a significant impact on a child's emotional, physical and psychological development. Research has shown that authoritative or positive parenting, which is characterized by warmth, high expectations, clear boundaries, and open communication, is associated with better health and lower levels of anxiety in children.

• Foster a warm and supportive relationship: Children who feel loved, accepted, and supported by their parents are less likely to experience anxiety. Parents can show warmth and support by spending quality time with their children, actively listening to them, and expressing affection.

• Set clear and consistent boundaries: Children who have clear and consistent rules and expectations are less likely to experience anxiety. Parents can set boundaries by establishing routines, explaining their expectations, and consistently enforcing consequences when those boundaries are crossed.

• Encourage open communication: Children who feel comfortable talking to their parents about their thoughts and feelings are less likely to experience anxiety. Parents can encourage open communication by actively listening to their children without judgment, asking open-ended questions, and validating their children's emotions.

• Teach coping skills: Parents can help their children develop coping skills to manage anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, and positive self-talk.

• Model healthy coping strategies: Parents can model healthy coping strategies by managing their own stress in healthy ways, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and seeking social support.

Resources:

https://www.triplep-parenting.ca/alb-en/triple-p/

https://www.apa.org/act/resources/act-tree-learning.pdf; https://www.apa.org/act/resources/act-tree-learning-spanish.pdf

https://www.apa.org/topics/parenting/resilience-tip-tool

Authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting styles have been linked to higher levels of anxiety in children. Many parents find themselves using elements of the following styles depending on their own upbringing and experiences in the adult years. Identifying your style and the potential negative impacts on your children can help you to make changes that promote better health for the whole family.

• Authoritarian (strict) parenting is a parenting style that is characterized by strict rules, high demands, and little warmth or support. It is often described as a "my way or the highway" approach, where parents expect complete obedience and respect from their children, without question or negotiation. Authoritarian parents often use punishment and criticism to control their children's behavior, without providing explanations or reasons behind their decisions. Children raised in an authoritarian household may develop low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulty with social relationships, as well as a lack of independence and decision-making skills.

• Permissive or indulgent parenting is a parenting style that is characterized by low demands and high warmth or support. Permissive parents often have inconsistent rules or boundaries for their children, and they may be reluctant to enforce consequences. Permissive parents may avoid conflict or confrontation with their children, and may prioritize their children's happiness over discipline or structure. Children raised in a permissive household may develop a sense of entitlement, difficulty with self-control, and poor decision-making skills, as well as struggle with authority figures outside of the home.

• Neglectful parenting, also known as uninvolved parenting, is a parenting style in which parents are emotionally absent and provide little guidance or support for their children. Neglectful parents may be physically present, but they are emotionally detached and unresponsive to their children's needs. They may prioritize their own needs over their children's, and may fail to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, or medical care. Neglectful parents may also fail to monitor their children's behavior or provide any type of discipline, leading to a lack of structure and boundaries in their children's lives. Children raised in a neglectful household may struggle with emotional and behavioral problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor social skills. They may also have difficulty forming healthy relationships with others and may struggle academically due to a lack of support and guidance.

Questionnaires:

https://www3.cde.ca.gov/pem/module2/story_content/external_files/ParentingStyleQuestionnairev8.pdf

https://activeparenting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Parenting_Style_Quiz-printable.pdf

Children learn language every day. Parents, caregivers and professionals play an important role in children’s speech and language development.

Keywords: language development, speech and language developmental milestones

Creating language-learning environments: use the Talk Box resources for ideas and activities that encourage language development.

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (like crawling, walking, or jumping).

Keywords: developmental milestones

Speech and language developmental milestones: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language

Downloadable Milestone Checklists

CDC Healthy Development Ideas

Ages and Stages Videos from "Many Voices, One Mind" Project

Coming soon!

The transition between childhood and young adulthood is one of the most challenging times for both parents and their children. Kudos to you for taking the time to learn and try new strategies to support your child. They are lucky to have you! Here are some articles (and a podcast) to start your learning:

https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/young-adult-child-breaking-house-rules/

https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/rules-boundaries-and-older-children-part-i/

https://grownandflown.com/help-young-adult-life-knows-down/

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/love-and-life-media/episodes/Emptying-the-Nest-Young-Adults-Living-at-Home--Interview-with-Dr--Brad-E--Sachs-Ep--37-egfr4r