Parenting matters for children’s wellbeing now and into the future.
- During the first 1000 days parents are central to children’s lives; shaping children’s experiences and interactions with the world. Confident, resilient and positive parenting is associated with improved health, wellbeing and learning for children now and into their future.
- Action to support parents to thrive in their parenting role has the potential to break inter-generational cycles of disadvantage and support the wellbeing of future generations.
Parents want to do the very best for their children but circumstances mean that it is harder for some parents than others.
- Parenting is not easy. It is harder if you don’t have the things you need and are constantly worrying about making ends meet.
- There are unfair differences in the resources and support that parents have and the circumstances they face.
- Parenting knowledge and skills play a part but, to support parents give their child the best start in life, system wide action is needed.
More can be done to help create the conditions for families in Wales to flourish.
The places where parents live, work and socialise influence parenting in two ways:
- They influence how parents think and feel
- and what they are able to do.
A society that supports parenting offers:
- fair work
- homes that are safe and warm
- affordable transport
- strong communities
- easy access to supportive services when they are needed.
Good mental health and social support act as buffers, helping parents manage challenges and minimise impact for their children.
All families will face difficult times and it will not always be possible to immediately address the root cause.
Families often feel the impact of economic and environmental crises that are outside the control of a single organisation.
Action to enhance parents’ mental wellbeing and support networks provides a route to minimise the impact of wider structural factors on children’s health, wellbeing and learning.
Interventions that consider parents’ feelings, the resources they need, and their social networks are more likely to effectively support parenting.