When you have your first child, you want to give them the world. All of the diamonds, all of the jewels, and everything else that they could ever want. But, pulling it back to reality for a minute, there is one aspect of life that all parents can give to their children, whether they are rich or poor, which is more important than all the diamonds and fast cars in the world: a stable home.
Research has found time and time again that children who are raised in volatile, unpredictable homes are more likely to have all manner of issues in their adult lives, from poor employment to illness, even to severe mental health issues. So, why is creating a stable home for your child or your children so important? Read on to find out.
It Provides Them With Predictability
Predictability is important for children because it helps them to feel safe and secure. Children thrive in environments where they know what to expect and can anticipate what will happen next. When children experience a sense of predictability, they are better able to regulate their emotional responses, which helps them to feel more in control of their environment.
They can focus on learning and exploring their surroundings rather than worrying about what might happen next. To learn how you can create predictability in your home, head to Two Healthy Homes for some tips!
It Gives Them Space To Learn
Picture these scenarios; two children who have come home from school but have gone to different environments. The first is met with a happy welcome as the parent at home makes dinner, and they are allowed to go to their bedroom to study without interruption or noise.
The second child goes to a home where their parents are arguing. They are met with their parents shouting their side of the story at the child, who is then charged with taking the role of parent. The first home is stable, but the second home isn’t. So, it comes as no surprise that children who are raised in a home like the first one are more likely to have better academic outcomes.
It Helps With Discipline
Having stability creates a routine. Your child may be charged with needing to feed the cats or dogs before dinner and will also be required to clean the bathroom every Thursday. This kind of structure creates self-discipline, which can be exceedingly beneficial in their studies and work life, as they know what they can accomplish.
They Will Sleep Better
Children who live in homes that are more focused on routines, structure, and talk are more likely to have better sleep patterns, even from a few months of age. Babies raised in homes with a routine based around bathing at 7pm, for example, and then bedtime will be more likely to have REM sleep, which is important for neurological development.
If a child is surrounded by chaos and no rules, their sleep will be all over the place, and they will not have the ability to convert short-term memories to long-term memories, thus stunting their success in school and beyond.
What are your thoughts?
