Why The Relationships With Your Children Are So Important

As a parent, you may have already realized this, but you are one of the most important people in your child's life.  You provide then with what they need, physically and emotionally.  You teach them what they need to know and you are there to encourage and motivate them.  Have you ever taken the time to understand why your job as a parent is so important?  Some people feel that learning and personality development starts later in life, but actually, it begins in infancy.

Attachment is an important developmental step that is learned, or not, in the infant stage.  When you make sure your baby is fed, bathed, comforted, etc, you are building this attachment.  The infant is learning that his or her needs will be met, which will positively impact their emotional, cognitive, and social development.

As children grow, these developments are still occurring.  It is important to build a warm, open, and communicative relationship with your child.  When this is accompanied with setting appropriate limits and giving them reason and understanding of the rules for behavior, it can have positive impacts on development as well.  In fact, these types of relationships can raise self-esteem, increase school performance, and reduce the risk of depression or drug use in children and teens (American Psychological Association).

When children become teens, we all know that things change.  Their friends and own hobbies seem to take center stage, and that attitude always seems to be present.  It is important for parents to allow teens to explore the world on their own, but with some guidance, of course.  Continue a warm, communicative, and reasoned parenting style and your teen is more likely to achieve higher levels of socially competent behavior, less likely to use drugs, and to experience less anxiety and depression (American Psychological Association).

As you can see, your job as a parent is a pretty important one.  You can either positively or negatively impact your child's development by the relationships we build and maintain.  To promote positive growth, be sure to build positive and supportive relationships with your children, from day one!

References:

American Psychological Association (n.d.). Parents and Caregivers Are Essential to Children's Healthy Development