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A new survey from The Kids Mental Health Foundation reveals parental stress is overwhelmingly driven by concerns over children’s mental health and behavior. Nearly half of parents with children under 18 report they always (12%) or often (30%) felt stressed in the past month, with these issues cited as two of the top triggers.
While mental health awareness has grown, Ariana Hoet, PhD, the executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, said this generation of parents is struggling to find models for building wellness at home, leading to worry about “doing it wrong” and causing long-term issues for their children.
Expert Solution: Research-Backed, 15-Minute Daily Habits
The Kids Mental Health Foundation offers research-backed, easy-to-implement daily habits designed to help families reduce stress and promote mental wellness. Dr. Hoet emphasizes that “kids’ mental health starts with us” and that parental well-being is fundamental to a calmer home environment. By focusing on small, consistent, 15-minute habits, parents can remove the stress of decision-making and know they are applying what research proves helps children.
- Parent Decompression: Take a solo walk to decompress or intentionally talk with friends and family for vital connection and validation.
- Shared Fun & Routines: Implement daily routines to control the home environment and allow children to pick a fun activity to do together, which creates predictability and reduces anxiety.
- Model Accountability: Parents should model what it’s like to make mistakes, apologize and take accountability, reinforcing the relationship with their children is what truly matters.
Allison Tomlin, a mother of two from Hilliard, Ohio, relies on The Kids Mental Health Foundation’s timely resources to navigate difficult conversations and prioritize mental health.
