Family Relationships
Giving children more freedom can improve family wellbeing, says study
The study found that parents who gave their children more autonomy discovered they did better emotionally. Their own needs fulfill to a greater extent, and the family itself more emotionally bond.
Parenting is not an easy task, and it make all the more difficult by the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic. Parents had to manage their work from home. And kids have to learn to get used to their online study routine. While this may have naturally led to a lot of initial stress and chaos, a lot of families managed to stay on track. And even they focus on the well-being of all members.
According to Psychology Today, families that give children autonomy (more freedom to make their own choices) associate with improved well-being for everyone — parents and children alike — during the pandemic.
The study found that parents who gave their children more autonomy discovered they did better emotionally. Their own needs fulfill to a greater extent. And the family itself more emotionally bonded. In fact, it was particularly found that parenting involving “choice within certain limits seemed to be optimal” during this time.
According to the Psychology Today report, the study included 496 school-age children (between 6 and 19 years) in USA, from March to April of 2021. In fact, their parents reported on their parenting practices every day over the course of the study period.
And while there is a lot of pressure right now on parents to manage office and work. And give time to their kids, keep them productively engaged. Make sure they focus on their online classes, this study suggests that they let go a little. Allow the children to make a few choices, so as to feel less stressed. Doing it can prove to be effective for the well-being of both parents and kids.