How can we raise children with flexible personalities, independence, perseverance, problem-solving skills, and creativity in the face of challenges?
Raising children with similar characteristics is not achieved overnight. The necessary maternal approach is full of love and care.
Research by Child Trends, a leading nonprofit research association in the United States, revealed that this loving season has long-term benefits for children.
“It leads to more advanced tone, better academic performance, better communication between parents and children, and fewer brain problems. This feat has been associated with affection,” the study notes.
Initially, in 2010, researchers at Duke University School of Medicine determined that babies with very tender and attentive mothers became happier, more flexible, and had lower levels of anxiety. Around 500 people participated in this study, anatomized over several decades, from underage to thirty years of age.
When the babies were eight months old, psychologists observed their relationships with their mothers. Psychologists rated the position of affect and attention on a five-point scale, ranging from “low” to “great.”
The results showed that almost 10 of the people showed low affect situations, 85 showed normal affect situations and about six percent showed high affect situations.
Recently, the 500 children were questioned again thirty times about their emotional health. It turned out that children whose parents showed situations of “high” and “really high” affection suffered less anxiety and stress.
The experimenters involved in this study concluded that the hormone oxytocin could be responsible for these benefits. Oxytocin is a chemical that the brain releases when one feels love and connection. Helps strengthen the bond between parents and children, adding trust and security.
So how can this affection form resilient children? As quoted on Mother.ly, express it as often as possible; The impact on children is significant.
The following methods could be applied:
Skin to skin contact
From birth, parents should have as much skin-to-skin contact as possible, initiate breastfeeding early, hug, kiss, hold hands, anything that creates physical contact between you and your child. This contact fosters a closer, more emotionally stable bond between parents and children.
Game time
Don’t underestimate playing time. No matter how busy parents are, try to put aside your phone or other devices and play with your beloved children, even if it is only for 15 to 30 minutes, but concentrate completely. Children need to play with their parents a lot, not just to be given expensive toys.
Regular hugs
Make warm hugs before you leave and kisses on the forehead before bed a “must.” Do this from when the child is small until he grows up. If they later resist, insist on it. Teenagers often melt when their mother asks for a warm hug.
Discipline with love
For example, if a child throws a toy at her brother causing injury, she may “confiscate” the toy, but never yell at him or hit him. Have a serious conversation with the child, look him in the eyes and give him a hug after advising him. Make sure your child understands that hugging is much better than throwing things at each other.