Collection: Mother & Kids

Mother & Kids

The Mother-Child Relationship
Mothers and their children are connected even before birth. All those months spent together mark the beginning of a sometimes challenging, yet rewarding, relationship. Moms have an important role in their child’s mental health because they provide basic necessities (i.e. food, water, shelter, and sleep) and form a secure attachment with their young child. Attachment is the emotional bond that develops between an infant and caregiver. Children who have healthy attachments with their caregivers are more likely to form stable relationships later in life.

Forming an attachment with your children involves:

Holding them
Providing a safe living environment
Talking to them
Laughing and playing with them
Making sure they get enough sleep
Feeding them and eating with them at mealtimes
Having appropriate expectations for them and setting limits
Learning to understand their unique way of expressing themselves (i.e. facial expressions, sounds they make, how they communicate their needs)
In addition to nurturing children, setting limits is an important part of the mother-child relationship. Children should not run the household, you should – and can. Be clear with your child when setting a limit. For example, “It’s not okay to pour water on the couch; we should put it in the sink.” In this example, you identified an unacceptable behavior and told the child the behavior you wish to see. Remember, once you tell your child what to do, you must follow through. If the child does not listen to what you said, it may be necessary to help her complete the task. For example, you might walk with her to put the cup of water in the sink.