A mother has the biggest influence on her child, and their relationship develops from when the baby is in the womb. In this post, we discuss a mother’s influence on child development. Becoming a mother is a journey of life-long responsibilities and is filled with moments of happiness, pride, and emotions. It can very well be called a roller coaster ride. And a child always looks up to their mother for guidance, advice, and support. So, you sure have a very important role in their lives. Read on to know more about the ways in which you can influence your child’s development.
The Eight Different Roles Of A Mother In Child Development
There is so much you constantly do for your child, knowingly and unknowingly. Here are eight roles you will play as a mother in your child’s development:
1. Build the first bonds of emotional attachment
As a mother and the primary caregiver in your child’s earliest days, weeks and months, you are your child’s first link of any emotional bonding and attachment. Your baby will learn their first emotions in relation to you. The way you bond with your baby in the earliest months and years will leave a deep impact on your child’s overall well-being and development. The mother and child relationship you create with your child during the earliest years will greatly influence the way your child behaves in social and emotional settings, especially in later years. As a mother, how soon you react to your child’s needs and how you try to take care of those needs will teach your child a lot about understanding others’ and their emotional requirements. Tip: Be attentive towards your child, no matter how small or unimportant their need may seem to you.
2. Teach them about trust and security
If you want to know the importance of mothers in child development, you need to learn this. Two very important life skills that your child will learn from you are learning to trust and providing emotional security. As a mother, you have the onus of teaching your child about the importance of being able to trust and be trustworthy. If your child can trust you, he will be confident and emotionally secure. Be around when your child needs you and always make sure you support them and encourage them to do better. Your encouragement will show your child that your love for them is a constant, and it will make them more secure. Tip: Be honest with your child and teach them the importance of always telling the truth. Assure them of your unconditional love and support every day, so that he feels secure.
3. Be sensitive
As a mother, there will be times when you feel that nothing is going the planned way. It is natural to lose your cool and give up in despair, but wait. Think from the point of view of your child. Your child will learn a big lesson in life from you – that of being sensitive towards others’ needs and thoughts. As a mother, you may have a certain way of looking at things and doing tasks while your child may have an entirely different view. Understand your child’s perspective too. If you feel that your child is wrong, try and explain to them what you feel he can do differently. Tip: Never look down on your child’s way of thinking. Understand why they feel the way they do and talk to them about it. Try to connect with your child before you criticize them.
4. Be kind and loving
The way you behave towards your child will have a lasting impact on your child’s development throughout their childhood as well as their adult years. Always be kind and loving towards your child, no matter how stressed or angry you are. Your response to your child’s day-to-day activities and needs will show them the importance of being loving towards others. The way you speak to your child and others around you will teach your child about dealing kindly with others. Tip: Be kind and loving in your regular interactions with your child.
5. Let them know that family is about being together
Your child will very soon learn the meaning and importance of a family, especially from you. The way you interact with other members of your family will teach your child about many important relationships in life. Make sure you introduce your child to different family members and take them to various family outings. Make family time a regular affair at home. Tip: Encourage your child to spend more time with everyone in the family and have family meals together.
6. Have a positive attitude
Sure life is tough, but how you handle your problems can teach your child about the importance of having a positive attitude. Your response towards various problems, whether small or big, will show your child that having a positive attitude can help overcome many difficulties. Try to make the child understand in their own language by formulating stories around real-life events. Be positive and teach your child always to think positive. Encourage your child to learn from their mistakes and never to give up. Tip: Whenever you go through a problem that you can discuss with your child, tell him about it and tell him how you think you will deal with it.
7. Encourage your child to work hard
No one can teach your child the value of hard work as much as you can! Your child may feel that working hard is something that makes you tired at the end of the day. But remind them of the immense pleasure and satisfaction it gives you to ensure your child’s well-being. Also, when your child puts in effort to participate in any activity or help you in any tasks, do not praise them for their results but their effort and hard work. Tip: Encourage your child to participate with you in different tasks and appreciate the hard work not the result.
8. Teach them the importance of discipline and routine
In their earlier years, your child will be most comfortable while following a set pattern in their daily life. Show your child how you effectively manage time and commitments by following a routine. Teach your child the importance of discipline and make sure you also follow some basic routines in your daily life. Tip: Sit with your child and chalk out a daily routine. Show your child how it will help them accomplish more tasks in a smaller amount of time.
