5 Ways Parents Influence Their Children For The Better

Published: 9.4.19
Updated: 12.7.24

A lot of parents don’t realise that they are the most important influence in a child's life.

Up until their teenage years, a parent is probably the most influential person in their life.

Here’s a few ways in which parents can influence their children for the better.

Healthy Eating Habits

According to several studies carried out around the world less than 1% of childhood obesity is caused by a medical condition like thyroid disorders or metabolic disease.

Another way of looking at that stat is the fact that 99% of overweight children are overweight because of a lack of exercise and a poor diet and bad eating choices.

As you can appreciate, this isn’t entirely their fault and a lot of blame lays at the feet of parents. What a child does or doesn’t eat and how active they are is down to parents.

They have the power to ensure their children eat the right food and partake in regular exercise.

With life being what it is, parents are working longer hours and are not always able to spend as much time as they would like with their kids. However, healthy eating simply has to be a priority for every parent.

What a lot of parents don’t realise is the fact that you are setting the stage for your child’s future.

Recent data from the National Child Measurement Programme shows that 9.2% of reception age children and 22.7% of Year 6 children were obese in 2022/23. This highlights the need for parents to take an active role in their children's dietary habits.

Breakfast Is Important

It all starts with the first meal of the day “breakfast.” If children can start with a healthy breakfast at the start of the day it gives the energy, to have a good start to the day (especially learning at school).

While you are at it, pack a healthy lunch box for them to take to school. This often means doing the exact same thing for yourself.

By observing you eating healthy ultimately encourages them to be healthy.

Healthy habits breed healthy children.

Eat As A Family

It also helps if you can have your evening meal sat around the table together. Not only is it good interaction for both parent and child.

It also allows you to catch up with kids to find out how they are doing at school or be there to answer any questions they may have.

Active Lifestyles

This is very much related to the previous point. Along with having a healthy diet, it is also really important for you to encourage your children to be active.

Look at it this way. If you are the sort of person that lays on the couch watching the box every weekend. Guess what? The likelihood is your children will end up doing the same.

If your family is active, then your children will get used to being active. Now, being active doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be climbing mountains and going on 15-mile hikes.

A lot of times it could mean going for walks, playing in the park. Instead of driving them to and from school, you walk instead.

Spending Habits

Parents don’t often talk about finance with their kids. In fact, a lot of parents wait until the kids have gone to bed before they talk about finance.

To be honest, the only time kids get to learn anything about finance is when they start doing maths at school.

We all know that this isn’t really the same thing. Learning maths in school has absolutely no relevance to the real world of finance.

That’s why it is a good idea to talk to your kids about finance and encourage them to earn and manage their own money as soon as possible.

By earn, I mean getting a small job like a paper round, cutting the grass, washing cars etc.

As soon as they receive money as a small wage or they receive money for their birthday, then this is the best time to teach them how to save the majority of it and spend the rest on what they want.

Learning how to save up for things they want and have the patience to save up until they have enough money is absolutely priceless.

Recent studies show that only 2 out of 5 young adults in the UK are financially literate, highlighting the need for early financial education from parents.

As I mentioned previously, these aren’t things that children will learn at school.

That’s why it is so important for them to feel your full influence on how to manage money. It’s kind of like their introduction to finance.

Like any good habit that is started from an early age. You will find that they will take this financial education with them into their adult years.

Leaning to be frugal and manage their money at an early age can only serve them well later on.

Fears And Anxieties

Have you ever noticed that the parent's fears and anxieties often get transferred to their children?

If you keep blurting out your fears on a regular basis, it stands to reason that your children will eventually be scared too.

More studies are showing that your children often don’t lose these fears either. They take these inherited fears well into adulthood too.

One of the latest studies by Zebra found that one in four children say they have a fear of driving that prohibits them from getting a driving license.

That fear didn’t manifest itself from a bad experience. It was inherited from their parent's fears when they were growing up.

There were also other parents that weren’t that scared of driving but had the fear of their children learning to drive and getting their license.

The only thing that could counter this experience would be for the parent to remain positive and not be so vocal in their fears and anxieties.

It’s not always the easiest thing to do but it’s worth trying bearing in mind your fears and anxieties may affect your children in the long run.

Supporting Children’s Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health for children, and parents play a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment.

Recent studies emphasise the need for early intervention and ongoing support to help children manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Here are a few strategies to support your child's mental health:

• Open Communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their worries and emotions without fear of judgment.
• Consistency and Routine: Establish a regular routine to provide a sense of stability and security. Consistent bedtimes, meal times, and family activities can help reduce anxiety.
• Encouragement and Praise: Recognize and praise your child's efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost their self-esteem and resilience.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Introduce mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These techniques can help children manage stress and improve their emotional regulation.
• Professional Support: If your child shows signs of persistent anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, consider seeking help from a child psychologist or counselor. Professional guidance can provide tailored strategies and support.

Encouraging Emotional Well-Being

Emotional well-being is essential for overall development and happiness.

Parents can influence their child's emotional health through various practices:

• Modeling Healthy Emotions: Children often mimic their parents' behaviors and reactions. Demonstrate healthy ways to handle emotions, such as staying calm during stressful situations and discussing feelings openly.
• Building Strong Relationships: Foster strong, positive relationships with your child. Spend quality time together, engage in meaningful conversations, and show genuine interest in their lives.
• Teaching Coping Skills: Help your child develop coping mechanisms for dealing with challenges and setbacks. Teach them problem-solving skills and encourage a growth mindset.
• Providing a Supportive Environment: Create a nurturing home environment where your child feels loved and valued. Set realistic expectations and provide consistent support and guidance.
• Promoting Social Connections: Encourage your child to build and maintain healthy friendships. Social interactions can provide emotional support and help children develop empathy and social skills.

FAQs

How can I encourage my child to develop healthy sleeping habits?

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is key to fostering healthy sleeping habits in children. Create a calming pre-sleep ritual that includes activities such as reading a bedtime story, brushing teeth, and dimming the lights. Ensure that the child's sleeping environment is comfortable and free of distractions like electronic devices. Consistency is crucial, so try to maintain the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, even on weekends.

What are some effective ways to manage screen time for young children?

Managing screen time involves setting clear boundaries and being consistent with them. Create a daily or weekly screen time schedule that limits the use of electronic devices and promotes other activities like outdoor play, reading, and family time. Encourage the use of educational apps and programs that contribute to learning and development. Additionally, lead by example by moderating your own screen time and engaging in alternative activities with your children.

How can I help my child develop social skills?

Social skills can be nurtured through regular interaction with peers and adults. Arrange playdates and encourage participation in group activities such as sports, music classes, or community events. Teach your child basic social manners like saying "please" and "thank you," sharing, and taking turns. Role-playing different social scenarios at home can also help children practice and understand appropriate social behaviors.

What strategies can I use to foster a love for reading in my child?

To cultivate a love for reading, make it a regular part of your child's daily routine. Read aloud to your child from an early age and let them see you enjoying books. Create a cozy and inviting reading space filled with a variety of books that cater to your child's interests. Visit libraries and bookstores together to explore new books. Encourage your child to read aloud and ask questions about the stories to engage their imagination and comprehension skills.