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It might be beneficial to cut back on structured extracurricular activities like chess club, says a new study. The study found a correlation between children’s participation in numerous organized activities and negative behaviors such as difficulty concentrating, distractibility, and conflicts with peers.
The study, performed by Ohio State University, recommends that parents reduce structured activities and engage in more “free playtime” with their kids. This shift may lessen the probability of children developing anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders.
In an online survey conducted by Ohio State last summer, it was reported that 57% of parents suffered from burnout. This burnout and associated harsh parenting practices, such as criticism, shouting, or spanking, were linked to increased mental health problems in children.
Lead researchers of the study, Kate Gawlik and Bernadette Melnyk, highlighted the vicious circle where higher parental burnout often leads to increased mental health issues in children, and vice versa. They developed the Working Parent Burnout Scale to measure parental burnout, based on a 10-point survey.
The researchers recommend that parents suffering from burnout set aside some time each day for mental health, reduce stress factors, and consider seeking professional help. Gawlik and Melnyk endorse a positive parenting approach, which promotes parent-child relationships through effective communication, mutual respect, consistent boundaries, and positive reinforcement.
Here are their tips for positive parenting:
– Express your love to your children.
– Recognize their positive behavior.
– Maintain a daily routine, including meal and bedtime.
– Implement gentle discipline when needed.
– Set boundaries and limits.
– Help children understand the consequences of their decisions and behaviors.
– Set realistic expectations.
– Practice and model healthy behaviors.
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