Want Your Child to Have Empathy? Stay Close!

Nurturing Empathy The Importance of Staying Close to Your Child

Stay close to your child if you want them to have empathy!

Young children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up to be kind, caring, and considerate. It turns out that a warm and loving relationship with mom and dad can have a profound impact on a child’s development and mental well-being. In fact, a recent study found that these children have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence. On the other hand, children who experience emotionally strained or abusive relationships with their parents are less likely to become thoughtful and generous individuals.

Imagine a world where kids are raised surrounded by love and understanding, weaving a tapestry of kindness, empathy, helpfulness, generosity, and volunteering. Well, it seems that world might not be as far-fetched as we think. According to Ioannis Katsantonis, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, “taking time to build warm, close, comforting, and understanding relationships between parents and children in early childhood tends to predict children’s resilience against mental health difficulties and increases their levels of prosociality throughout childhood and adolescence.” Prosociality, in case you haven’t heard the term before, refers to acts of kindness, empathy, helpfulness, generosity, and volunteering.

But why does this warm and loving environment have such a profound impact on children’s development? Well, it’s no secret that children imitate their parents. They learn social skills by observing their parents’ behavior, which they later find helpful in navigating their own social interactions. So, it’s no wonder that the closer kids are to their parents at a young age, the more likely they are to express kindness, empathy, helpfulness, generosity, and volunteering as they grow up. It’s a beautiful cycle of love and compassion.

To uncover these insights, researchers analyzed data on more than 10,700 children born between 2000 and 2002. They interviewed parents and children at various ages, assessing mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and aggression, as well as socially desirable behaviors, relationships, and discipline practices. The results were crystal clear: kids who were emotionally close to their parents at age 3 developed more positive social habits over time. Conversely, children who had strained or abusive relationships with their parents were less likely to exhibit these positive behaviors.

Now, here’s the exciting part – the impact of parenting on children’s mental health remains stable throughout childhood and adolescence. “After a certain age, we tend to be mentally well or mentally unwell, and have a reasonably fixed level of resilience,” explained Katsantonis. However, when it comes to socially desirable behaviors, there’s a greater window of opportunity for intervention and shaping kids’ future. So, parents, there’s hope!

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But we can’t place all the responsibility on parents alone. The study suggests that schools can also play a crucial role in fostering positive social habits. Instead of merely addressing issues like bullying through isolated campaigns, educational efforts should integrate empathy, kindness, and generosity into the curriculum. By doing so, we can create a generation of compassionate individuals who thrive in a supportive environment.

Let’s not forget that children don’t take after strangers. As Jessica Stern, a research psychologist at the University of Virginia, puts it, this study “breaks new ground in understanding how parenting contributes to children’s mental health and positive social behavior.” The findings from this study align with what experts have seen in the United States, showing the universal impact of parenting on children’s well-being.

So, parents and caregivers, remember this: your behavior sets an example for your children. If you yell, hit, or shame them into behaving a certain way, they are more likely to imitate these actions. Instead, strive for empathic and kind but firm discipline. It has been proven to promote mental health and positive social development in childhood and adolescence.

Ultimately, the goal is to raise children who deeply understand the value of strong, meaningful relationships beyond the comfort of their own home. Maryam Abdullah, the parenting program director at the Greater Good Science Center of the University of California, Berkeley, emphasizes the importance of close relationships with parents. She believes that these relationships help children develop compassion and carry forward this compassionate way of being with others.

So, let’s create a world where children grow up surrounded by love, empathy, and kindness. Start building those warm and close relationships with your children today. Remember, your bond with them can make a world of difference, not just in their lives, but in the lives of others they touch as well.

More information

HealthDay has more on the gentle parenting method.

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What are your thoughts on this topic? Share your experiences or insights in the comments below! Together, let’s create a kinder and more compassionate world for our children.