adminDr Mazvita Machinga Mental Health
With the issue of increased early marriages and family breakdowns widespread within our communities, it is important that I talk about parenting and its importance. Parenting is by far the most important job in people’s lives. It can be both greatly rewarding and overwhelming.
It is overwhelming, particularly for those parents who do not have appropriate parenting skills. Here, you will find information about positive parenting, where to go to get help for you and your family, and how to support yourself and your children.
It is important to know that what happens to children in their first days, months and years of life affects their development, the development of our society, and the development of our nation.
I am particularly concerned about the effect of negative parenting on children’s mental health development. World Health Organisation asserts that , “ there is no health without mental health.” How can your parenting promote your child’s mental health? No-one has all the answers on this, but they are guidelines that help parents raise responsible children with sound mental health.
As a parent you have to know that you are the prime educator of your children. Up until your children attend early years pre-school or start school, as parents you remain a major influence throughout school and beyond. Even when children are in school, parents remain the major influence on their children’s development. So, what does this mean? Parents have to do it right, have to gladly and wisely execute their parenting job.
You and I agree that children are our future, hence, the need to nurture them positively and the need for positive parental involvement right from the beginning.
Parental involvement benefits children. Research in child development has shown that parental involvement equate with better mental health outcomes and cognitive development. It has been seen that for children’s early development, what parents do is more important than who they are.
Thus, healthy home activities are key to healthy mental development of children. The following are some parenting tips to assist your children’s mental health as they grow:
Spend time with your child. Talk about their friends, school ,accomplishments, and what challenges they are facing.
Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps to improve on interpersonal skills and friendship. Meet and get to know your teen’s friends
Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child. Explain and show the behaviour that you expect from them. Whenever you tell a child no, follow up with what they should be doing instead.
Problem solving – Help your child through the steps to solve problems when one is upset.
Use discipline to guide and protect your child, rather than punishment to make a child feel bad about self. Follow up any discussion about what notto do with a discussion of what to do instead.
Decision making- Give your child a limited number of simple choices (for example, deciding what to wear, when to play, and what to eat for snack- helps in
Show affection, warmth and friendliness for your child. Recognise their accomplishments
Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage him to help people in need.
Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as a team sports, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities in the community.
Help your child develop his/her own sense of right and wrong. Talk with them about risky things friends might pressure him to do, like smoking or dangerous physical dares
Talk with your teen about their concerns and pay attention to any changes in their behaviour.
Encourage your teen to get enough sleep and exercise, and to eat healthy, balanced meals.
Remember , even though there is no formal school for parenting , everyone can improve on their parenting skills. You know your child best. Talk to your someone you trust or a mental health professional if you have concerns about the way your child behaves at home, in school, or with friends. Consider taking a parenting class to learn the basics and lessen the anxiety of being a parent.
Reference : Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr MazvitaMachinga Ph.D. is a qualified psychotherapist in Mutare who offers professional counselling and psychotherapy to all those in need of it. For information on parenting education and skills and other mental health issues Contact on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>, or call 0771 754 519
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