2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43
How often do you hug your children?
All parents have a difficult, busy life, supplemented by a lot of worries about raising children. However, one of the most important responsibilities of a parent is to be able to stop in time and hug their children with all love. Research over the past ten years has clearly demonstrated the relationship between parental love for a child and the level of health and happiness in adulthood.
Data from Child Trends, a leading US research organization focused on improving the prospects and quality of life for children, young people and their families, confirms that the warmth and love shown by parents pay off throughout their child's life. But if there were no affectionate parents, the child is likely to develop low self-esteem; he will experience feelings of alienation, hostility, aggressiveness and antisociality.
In recent years, more than one scientific study has been conducted confirming the connection between parental affection and how happy and successful children will be in adulthood.
Children of affectionate and attentive mothers grow up to be happier, more resilient, and less anxious adults.
In 2010, researchers at Duke University School of Medicine found that children of affectionate and attentive mothers grow up to be happier, more resilient, and less anxious adults. The study involved 500 participants who were followed from infancy to 30 years of age. When they were 8 months old, scientists observed how mothers interacted with them, and also conducted several developmental tests.
Psychologists ranked maternal affection and attention on a 5-point scale, from negative to obsessive. About 10% of mothers showed a low level of attachment, 85% - a normal level, and about 6% - a high level.
After 30 years, adults were already interviewed about their emotional health. Those participants whose mothers were caring or very caring were much less concerned about stress and anxiety. In addition, they were less likely to experience emotional problems such as alienation, fear of social interactions, and psychosomatic symptoms.
The connection between parents and children helps our brains to produce and use oxytocin, which makes the child experience more positive emotions.
Scientists working on this study concluded that participants owe such emotional stability to the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is a chemical in the brain produced when a person feels love and affection. It has also been shown to be involved in the bonding process between parents and children, fostering a sense of trust and support between them. This connection is likely to help our brains produce and use oxytocin, which makes the baby experience more positive emotions.
The brain - neither more nor less - changes under the influence of parental love. It protects children from the harmful effects of childhood stress.
The second study was conducted in 2013 by staff at the University of California, Los Angeles. Scientists have shown that a parent's unconditional love and affection can make a child emotionally happy and less anxious. This is because their brains - neither more nor less - are changing under the influence of parental love. Child abuse and lack of attachment, meanwhile, affects children both mentally and physically. It can lead to all kinds of mental and emotional problems, and affects the child throughout his life. Moreover, scientists believe that parental affection protects children from the harmful effects of childhood stress.
A 2015 University of Notre Dame study found that children who received enough love from their parents are happier in adulthood. The study involved over 600 participants. They were asked about childhood, about their upbringing, including how much their parents showed affection for them. Participants who received more love as children were less bothered by depression, anxiety, and overall they were more outgoing. Those who received less love were tormented by psychological problems. They tended to be more upset about social failures and less susceptible to other people's views.
Massage is also a good way to build a bond between parents and children - both physically and emotionally.
Researchers have also examined the benefits of skin-to-skin contact for babies. This special interaction between mother and child, in particular, helps to calm babies - thanks to the contact, they cry less and sleep better. It has also been shown that body contact promotes brain development. According to the article, children who grow up in orphanages have higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) than children who live with their parents. Scientists believe that the lack of physical contact in orphanages is the main factor behind negative changes.
Finally, the numerous effects of massage show that it has a positive effect on children and helps reduce their anxiety. Massage is also a good way to build a bond between parents and children, both physically and emotionally. Starting from infancy, the parent can begin massaging the child, thus creating a strong bond between them. Studies have shown that children and adults who are massaged are less anxious during exams, in hospitals and other stressful situations.
How can you bring more hugs into your family's life?
From the moment you brought the child from the hospital, be sure to hold him in your arms, touch and swing him in your arms. Try to have skin-to-skin contact with him more often.
As the child gets older, play games with him - dance together or pretend to be a hugging / kissing monster.
Set your phone to remind you that hugs are part of your daily routine. In the recently released movie Trolls, the trolls had alarm clocks that signaled every hour that it was time for a hug. If that's what you want, set an alarm. Or, remember to hug your kids at certain times of the day, such as before they leave for school, when they return home, and before bed.
Children need to understand that even if you are not happy with their behavior, you still love them.
Another great idea is to use love when disciplining a child. When you tell him what he did wrong, place your hand on his shoulder and hug at the end of the conversation. Children need to understand that even if you are not happy with their behavior, you still love them. If your child hits a sister or brother, hug him and explain that hugging is better than hitting.
Finally, be careful not to overdo it and "smother" the children with your love. Respect their individual comfort level, and keep in mind that it changes at different stages of development.
Originally posted on. Published with the permission of the publisher.
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