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How Can You Be Emotionally and Mentally Present for Your Child?

Updated: Oct 21

A cheerful family enjoying a walk outdoors. The father is carrying one daughter on his back, while the mother carries the other daughter on hers. Both children are smiling, and the parents are sharing a joyful moment together. The background features a sunny, natural setting, highlighting the warmth and closeness of their family bond.

As parents, we often focus on providing for our children’s physical needs—making sure they’re well-fed, clothed, educated, and entertained. But there’s another crucial aspect of parenting that often goes unnoticed: being emotionally and mentally present in your child's life. It’s not just about being around; it’s about truly engaging with them in meaningful ways.


When you’re present emotionally and mentally, you foster a deeper connection, help build their confidence, and create an environment where they feel supported and understood.


In this article, we’ll explore how you can cultivate this kind of presence and why it matters so much for your child’s overall well-being.


Tips to be emotionally and mentally present for your child?


1. Active Listening


  • What it looks like Take time to listen without distractions when your child shares their thoughts, feelings, or stories from school.

  • Why it matters: It shows that their opinions and experiences are valued, fostering trust and emotional connection.


2. Participating in Their Interests


  • What it looks like: Whether it's playing their favorite game, reading a book they love, or joining them in a hobby like drawing, sports, or building with Legos.

  • Why it matters: By engaging in their activities, you show interest in their world and help build their confidence.



3. Creating Rituals or Special Time


  • What it looks like: Setting aside time for daily rituals, such as bedtime stories, family meals, or a weekly outing (like a walk, park visit, or movie night).

  • Why it matters: These consistent moments reinforce security, connection, and belonging.


4. Being Available During Challenges


  • What it looks like: Offering support when they face difficulties, such as struggling with homework, dealing with a conflict at school, or feeling anxious before a big event.

  • Why it matters: Your availability during tough times teaches resilience, helps them feel supported, and shows that you're their safe space.


5. Giving Undivided Attention


  • What it looks like: Putting down your phone or pausing what you’re doing when your child needs to talk, ask questions, or just be with you.

  • Why it matters: It makes them feel seen and prioritized, boosting their self-esteem and emotional well-being.


6. Celebrating Their Efforts


  • What it looks like: Praising not just achievements, but also the effort they put into learning something new, like drawing a picture, solving a puzzle, or practicing a skill.

  • Why it matters: It encourages a growth mindset, where the journey is valued as much as the result.


7. Offering Comfort and Reassurance


  • What it looks like: Being there to offer a hug, words of encouragement, or simply sitting with them when they’re upset or scared.

  • Why it matters: Physical and emotional comfort helps build a deep sense of security and trust.



8. Sharing Life Lessons Through Everyday Experiences


  • What it looks like: Teaching them important values like kindness, empathy, and perseverance by demonstrating these traits in your interactions with others, or discussing them in daily life.

  • Why it matters: Kids learn through observation, and seeing these values modeled reinforces their importance.


9. Attending Their Events and Milestones


  • What it looks like: Going to their school events, sports games, or recitals to cheer them on, or being there when they accomplish something new.

  • Why it matters: Your presence during their milestones shows you're invested in their growth and experiences.



10. Being Open to Conversations, Big or Small


  • What it looks like: Having regular, open dialogues about anything and everything, from what’s happening in the world to how they’re feeling.

  • Why it matters: It strengthens your relationship and ensures they feel comfortable coming to you with anything, no matter how small or significant.


11. Modeling Emotional Presence


  • What it looks like: Demonstrating how to handle emotions—by acknowledging your own feelings, managing stress in healthy ways, and talking openly about them.

  • Why it matters: Children learn how to navigate their emotions by watching how you handle yours, building emotional intelligence.


12. Setting Boundaries and Consistency


  • What it looks like: Providing structure, setting clear expectations, and enforcing rules with love and understanding.

  • Why it matters: Consistent boundaries create a sense of safety, teaching them responsibility and self-discipline.


In the end, being emotionally and mentally present for your child is about more than just showing up—it's about truly seeing them, hearing them, and supporting them through all their highs and lows.


Your presence helps shape their self-esteem, builds resilience, and creates a foundation of trust that will carry them through life. It’s in the small moments—listening attentively to their stories, offering encouragement after a setback, or simply sitting with them in silence when they need comfort—where your greatest impact lies.


As parents, we don’t need to have all the answers or fix every problem. Sometimes, all our children need is to know we are there, fully present, loving them unconditionally. So, let’s commit to not just being there for our children, but being truly present with them, creating lasting bonds that will stand the test of time.


 

Check out my story on "The Power Of Presence In Parenting" on Medium

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