A new survey found that parents’ stress is tied to children’s mental health, with nearly half of parents saying their stress makes their children more anxious or worried. The online survey involved 1,081 parents of children younger than 18 and took place from February 27 to March 2, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Top Sources of Parental Stress
Two of the top sources of stress for parents are children’s behavioral issues and children’s emotional and mental health concerns. Parents today are aware of the importance of focusing on children’s mental health when raising them, but this generation of parents is the first to try doing so. According to Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, “The problem is that this generation of parents is the first to try and do this. So, we hear, ‘I don’t have a model. I don’t know how to talk about mental health.’”
How Parental Stress Affects Children
Allison Tomlin, a mom of two boys in Hilliard, Ohio, explained the problem: “A lot of times, parents are so focused on the fix that they dismiss the feelings. Then kids shut down because if they’re not being seen as a person first and just a problem.” Research shows parents’ stress can set the tone for the home. Hoet recommends that parents notice what causes them stress and make changes where possible. They should also find time for connection and joy.
Building Strong Family Mental Health
Daily conversations, regular routines, and managing behaviors can help build a solid basis for good mental health among kids. Parents should not worry about making mistakes; both sides can grow from them. “Just model what it’s like to make mistakes, what it’s like to apologize and take accountability, and you’ll be OK,” Hoet said. “You’re repairing the relationship. The relationship is what matters.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://us.headtopics.com/news/parents-stress-tied-to-children-s-mental-health-new-82976874