Children’s Mental Health Week – How Your Wellbeing Shapes Theirs

As mums, we all want the best for our children—happy, healthy little ones who grow up feeling secure and confident. But what if I told you that one of the biggest influences on their mental wellbeing isn’t just what they eat, where they go to school, or how many bedtime stories we read? It’s us—our own mental health and emotional state.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, I want to talk about something that isn’t always easy to acknowledge: our children absorb our emotions, stress levels, and behaviours more than we realise. They’re like little sponges, picking up on the way we handle challenges, how we speak to ourselves, and even how we process stress.

The Science Behind It

Research has shown that a mum’s mental health is one of the biggest predictors of a child’s emotional wellbeing. When we’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or burnt out, our children notice. They may not always understand what’s wrong, but they feel it. Studies suggest that children of parents with high stress levels are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural difficulties themselves.

But here’s the good news: we don’t have to be perfect. In fact, the good enough parenting model reminds us that perfection isn’t needed—just connection. By taking small steps to care for our own mental health, we teach our children resilience, emotional regulation, and self-care.

Practical Ways to Support Your Mental Health (and Theirs)

• Narrate Your Emotions in a Reassuring Way – Instead of bottling everything up, try saying things like, "Mummy’s feeling a bit stressed right now, so I’m going to take a few deep breaths to help me feel calm." This teaches children how to regulate their own emotions.

• Prioritise Your Wellbeing Without Guilt – It’s not selfish to take time for yourself; it’s essential. Whether it’s five minutes of breathing exercises, a quick walk, or a warm cup of tea in peace—small acts of self-care add up.

• Practice Co-Regulation – Young children learn to manage their emotions by watching how we manage ours. Sitting with them when they’re upset, breathing deeply together, and offering calm, steady reassurance helps them feel safe and understood.

• Let Go of the Pressure to Be Perfect – Children don’t need perfection. They need a present, loving, good enough mum. Mistakes are part of life, and showing them how to handle setbacks with kindness and self-compassion is a powerful lesson.

The Ripple Effect

When you take care of your mental health, you’re not just benefiting yourself—you’re giving your children a healthier emotional foundation. You’re modelling how to manage stress, how to prioritise wellbeing, and most importantly, how to be kind to themselves.

So this Children’s Mental Health Week, I encourage you to take a moment to check in with your wellbeing. What small step can you take today to care for yourself? Because looking after yourself isn’t just for you—it’s one of the best gifts you can give your child.

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