As a parent, your mood sets the tone for your household, but did you know that your mental health can shape your child’s emotional world in profound ways? Whether you’re calm or stressed, confident or anxious, children pick up on more than you might think.
It’s not just about what you say—your mental state affects how you interact, make decisions, and handle challenges, creating ripple effects that can influence your child’s development and well-being.
The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services states that parental mental health issues can hinder a parent’s ability to provide routines, boundaries, and structure for their child. These issues are said to have the potential to impact a parent’s emotional, social, and physical state, affecting their own life and their child’s.
The above source further mentions that changes in mood and parenting styles can be confusing and destabilising for a child. Additionally, a child may feel responsible for their parent’s mental health, stressed about their well-being, scared of their parent, or worried they will inherit their mental health issues.
According to the Intregis Health publication, dealing with depression as a parent can impact the bond between parent and child, as well as physical aspects of their life, such as school performance and academic struggles.
The publication above suggests that you educate your child about mental health so that they have an understanding of what you’re experiencing. “Don’t feel selfish if you need to prioritise getting help over caring for your family. Without you at full strength, your family will struggle to get by even if you’re physically present. You can learn more here about how to prepare for your first mental health visit.”
A study found that one in 14 children aged 0-17 years had a parent reporting poor mental health, which increased their likelihood of poor general health, mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities, adverse childhood experiences, and poverty, claims Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Also see: Afraid you’re not parenting well? Here’s how to overcome mom guilt
