Parenting is a lifelong adventure, constantly evolving as you learn more about your child’s needs and development. It is not just about love and care; it also involves setting boundaries and creating opportunities for your child to grow and thrive.
Research shows that a positive approach to parenting can really make a difference. It boosts kids’ academic performance, cuts down on behavioural problems, and supports their mental health.
Neuroscientists even say that positive parenting helps brain areas tied to emotions and thinking work better during the teenage years.
Of course, a lot of factors come into play, like the relationship between parent and child, family income, parents’ education levels, and cultural background.
How you raise your kids directly impacts their well-being. The way parents nurture, support, and engage with their children shapes their emotional, academic, and social growth.
Positive parenting leads to healthier and more resilient kids, while negative or neglectful parenting can cause a host of problems.
The influence of parenting on kids’ well-being is complex, with parental involvement, communication, and emotional support being key elements that determine a child’s happiness and success in life, both at school and beyond.
Parenting styles also play a big role. According to researchers, these styles are defined by parents’ values, goals, and views on the parent-child relationship, as well as the methods they use to reach their goals.
The authoritative style, which balances warmth and control, is linked to positive traits like competence, maturity, assertiveness, and self-discipline.
Another important aspect is how involved parents are in their kids’ lives. Studies show that parental involvement boosts academic performance, self-confidence, and motivation to learn.
It also helps protect kids’ mental health from the negative effects of bullying and is linked to higher overall mental well-being among teens. However, parents and kids might have different views on what parental involvement should look like.
Some research indicates that when parents stress certain values, kids feel more academically competent and focused on their abilities, hard work, and grades.
Parenting evolves through different stages, from early childhood to young adulthood. In early childhood, a strong attachment and responsive care set the stage for healthy emotional development.
In middle childhood, being supportive and involved helps build confidence and self-esteem.
During the teen years, open communication, setting appropriate boundaries, and providing guidance are crucial for tackling challenges and promoting mental health and academic success.
As kids transition to adulthood, parents become more like mentors, encouraging independence, responsibility, and good decision-making skills.
To truly support your child’s overall well-being, a holistic approach is essential, focusing on spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, and social aspects (SPIES).
Parents play a key role in nurturing their children’s spiritual side by instilling strong moral/spiritual values, promoting physical health through good habits, supporting intellectual growth by encouraging curiosity and critical thinking, enriching emotional well-being by fostering open communication, teaching emotional intelligence and emotional support, and enhancing social skills through effective interaction with others.
In the end, parenting is a lifelong commitment that deeply influences a child’s overall well-being. By adopting effective parenting strategies and focusing on the holistic development of your children, you can ensure a brighter future for them.
The SPIES model offers a comprehensive framework to support your child’s spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being, ultimately leading to their overall happiness and success.
By: Dr Shamsiah Banu Mohamad Hanefar, Senior Lecturer School of Education, Sunway University
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