9 Ways to Nurture Your Child's Mental Health: A Guide for Parents

Mental health awareness has never been more critical, especially for our children. Many of us don’t consider our children’s mental health as an aspect of their development that we need to nurture. It seems that it should be a given that children enjoy the stability and peace that theoretically comes with being a child. But in today's society, the stresses and strains of everyday life can affect even the youngest of us. 

As parents and caregivers, our role in nurturing our children's mental health is critical—it shapes their future well-being, resilience, and their ability to cope with life's inevitable ups and downs.

It’s one thing to accept the importance of this aspect of our role as parents; it’s another to know how to provide that support. So below, you’ll find nine simple ways you can ensure your child has what they need. The good news is you’re likely already doing some! And if not, don’t worry. The best time to start is always now. 

How Do I Nurture My Child's Mental Health?

1. Building Strong Relationships

One of the pillars of supporting our children's mental health is fostering strong, caring relationships. Regular family dinners, for instance, can serve as a great opportunity for us to connect with our children. It doesn’t have to be dinner if that doesn’t work for your family’s schedule. Any regular time of connection that children can depend on to have your attention and interest without distractions works. 

It's essential that at least one significant and consistently present figure exists in a child's life. This person provides a sense of security and is a reliable source of support, which every child needs. Ideally, there are many, but as long as there is one, children can thrive.

2. Encouraging Open Communication

Communicating effectively with our children involves more than just talking to them; it requires listening to their thoughts and feelings with genuine interest and without judgment. 

Encouraging them to express a full range of emotions is vital. For example, it’s key that children feel that it’s okay for them to feel sad or angry, and they should be encouraged to talk about these feelings. Family connection time can be ideal for open discussions, providing a regular slot each day for family members to share their experiences and emotions and feel the love and support of those around them.

3. Creating a Safe and Positive Environment

The environment we create at home plays a significant role in influencing our children's mental health. Making conscious decisions about media use is part of creating a safe space. This includes being mindful of the content they consume and their interactions on social media and online games. 

Sensitive and stressful topics that are outside of our children's responsibility and control, like financial worries, marital issues, or serious illnesses, should be discussed away from them to prevent unnecessary stress. Sometimes, it’s important to include them because they affect them directly. If that’s the case, discuss things in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring that children understand that they are not required to carry the burden of these issues. 

Making sure we receive whatever support we need in these situations before talking to our children ensures that we are present and grounded when they have questions and feelings about the issues that are brought up. Discuss the ways you are getting support and the additional steps you are taking to look after yourself. Brainstorm together some ways you can do the same as a family. This is one way we can model how to look after our own mental health for our children. 

Physical affection, activity, and play are also integral to a healthy environment. They strengthen the body and mind, providing a natural way for children to manage stress.

4. Modeling Healthy Behaviors

Parents are their children’s first role models, so taking care of one's own mental health and well-being is essential. Healthy problem-solving, managing stress effectively, seeking support, and engaging in physical activities are behaviors that children will learn from and emulate.

If you take care of your own mental health and discuss openly with your children the ways in which you intentionally look after yourself, you will lay a strong foundation for their own healthy habits and prioritization of well-being. 

5. Empowering and Connecting

Helping children build connections outside the family unit is also essential for their emotional development. Making time for them to spend with friends participating in clubs, art classes, sports, and other activities can help children connect with others and create opportunities for play and expression.

Teaching empathy and the importance of engaging with peers can help children build strong social networks. Empowering children by involving them in age-appropriate volunteer work or community activities can also boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of agency, contribution to the world around them, and belonging.

6. Maintaining Routines and Managing Stress

A consistent routine can provide comfort and security, especially for younger children. It helps them understand what to expect each day, which can significantly reduce anxiety. Additionally, teaching your children effective stress management techniques, such as dancing or shaking out their emotions playfully, deep breathing exercises for children, or engaging in a hobby, can help them cope with challenging emotions.

7. Fostering Well-being and Goal-Setting

Teaching children the importance of self-care, such as eating a variety of foods that fuel their bodies, regular enjoyable movement, and adequate sleep, is fundamental to helping them manage stress and build resilience. 

Setting realistic goals, like learning something new or taking up a new hobby, and helping them take small steps towards these goals provides them with a sense of accomplishment and momentum. Things that children have control over, like some aspects of self-care and setting goals that are of interest to them, can be very helpful and impact how they feel in the world. 

8. Encouraging a Positive Self-View and Resilience

Reminding children of their past successes and how they’ve overcome difficulties can bolster their confidence and resilience. It's crucial for them to understand that they have the inner strength to face future challenges. Even in tough situations, maintaining a hopeful outlook helps children see beyond the present difficulties and envision a positive future.

Beliefs are thoughts we repeat over and over again. When you talk to your children about their strengths and ensure that they focus on their abilities and evidence of their resilience, those beliefs are more likely to stay at the forefront of their thoughts about themselves. 

9. Embracing Change and Self-Discovery

Finally, it is vital to help children understand and accept change as a part of life. Teaching them to see change as an opportunity for growth can ease transitions and promote flexibility in thinking. Encouraging self-discovery can help children learn more about their strengths and capabilities during tough times.

Nurturing a child’s mental health is multifaceted and requires consistency, patience, and empathy. By focusing on building strong relationships, fostering open communication, creating a positive home environment, and teaching effective stress management techniques, we can significantly influence our children's mental health for the better. 

Through these efforts, we can help our children grow into resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy adults.

If you’d like to discover some more powerful insights, reframes and new perspectives on raising secure, confident and empowered kids, download our FREE guide, 12 Myths of Parenting Which May Cause Emotional Harm. In it you’ll find new possibilities for having a more connected, peaceful, and loving relationship with your child.

Meet Your Author, Katie Owen

Jai Business Coach & Marketing Mentor

As a former practicing therapist turned copywriter and marketing strategist, Katie is passionate about the intersection of marketing and mindset. Katie embodies the practices of taking the simple actions, consistently over time, that create epic results.

A master storyteller, Katie works with our coaches to refine their message, increase their visibility and get clients!