Healthy eating habits are not imposed, they are learned through example and in a positive environment (Getty)
“Do as I say and not as I do”goes the famous saying. However, in raising children – as in almost everything in life – facts say much louder than words.
The mirror effect in parenting shows that children absorb more of what their parents do than what they hear, particularly when it comes to healthy habits.
In it Mother’s Day In Argentina, two experts consulted by Infobae agreed that the example of parents, especially that of mothers, deeply shapes the behavior of the children in fundamental aspects such as nutrition, stress management and the use of technology.
Children learn by observing: parents’ example is the key to instilling healthy habits (Getty)
Children, like little sponges, observe, “absorb” and They replicate what they see in their closest figuresand this is where coherence between what is said and what is done becomes crucially important.
“Example is a powerful tool for education because children learn through observation and experience,” the doctor in Psychology, specialist in clinical, teaching and research in Mindfulness-oriented Psychotherapy, began to explain. Mariam Holmes (MP 20463). “Our brain is designed to learn through association and repetitionso when children see their parents practicing certain habits, their brain associates those habits with normality and acceptance.”
For her part, the doctor specializing in Internal Medicine and Nutrition and coordinator of the Obesity Group of the Argentine Nutrition Society (SAN), Marianela Aguirre Ackermann (MN 151,867) reinforced this idea by emphasizing that eating and living habits “are learned within the family and are incorporated as customs”. This includes not only what and how you eat, but also how much you move your body, how you manage stress, and how you use technology.
Maternal self-care not only benefits mothers, but is a direct model for children (Getty Images)
Holmes noted that mothers, in particular, play a critical role in this modeling process. “Mothers play a fundamental role in modeling healthy habits for our children,” he noted. self-care It is not limited to eating well or exercising, but also includes deep emotional aspects, such as stress management and emotional self-regulation. “If we go through life on autopilot, we can model unhealthy habits without realizing it,” Holmes warned.
The thing is the current pace of life forces (obliges?) to do many times more than is humanly possible. And if children see their most important role models running 24×7 after a carrot that they never reach, they will inevitably reproduce that in their lives. In this sense, Aguirre Ackermann added that when a mother takes care of herself —whether by eating right, staying physically active, or managing your time with technology—you are sending a clear message to your children: self-care is important.
In fact, a study made in the Cambridge University monitored the activity of more than 500 mothers and their children, and found that children of active mothers they were twice as likely to remain physically active throughout their lives. And, on the contrary, a study published by Journal of Sports Science and Medicine showed that have parents who do not do physical activity quadruples the chances that your children won’t either.
“It is not that mothers should be athletes,” clarified the nutritionist, “but small gestures such as walking as a family, dancing or riding a bicycle together can make a big difference.”
The mirror effect of motherhood: children imitate the eating, physical and emotional habits of their mothers (Illustrative Image Infobae)
One of the biggest challenges facing modern parenting is the use of technology. With the omnipresence of screens, devices and social networks, set clear boundaries For children it is essential, but it will only be effective if parents also regulate their own consumption.
In this regard, Holmes stressed that “parents must model responsible use of technology, establishing clear limits and rules for its use.” These can include simple rules, such as avoiding device use during meals or setting specific times for digital entertainment.
However, the key to making these limits work is the behavior of adults themselves. “Establishing these rules in parenting will be very difficult if we don’t start with ourselves,” Holmes stressed.
Aguirre Ackermann agreed and added that, according to the American Academy of Pediatricsparents who limit their own screen time inspire their children to develop a more balanced relationship with technology. “Simply turning off the TV during family meals, or engaging in outdoor activities instead of spending hours in front of devices, teaches children to prioritize moments of real interaction and manage their time on devices more effectively.” healthy,” he said.
A family environment where healthy habits are encouraged guarantees a more balanced life for children (Getty)
The impact of self-care It goes beyond physical habits. Both Holmes and Aguirre Ackermann highlighted the importance of emotional self-care in raising emotionally healthy children.
“A mother who is dealing with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress will hardly have a clear mirror in which her children can reflect to learn to regulate their emotions,” Holmes commented. This is crucial for the emotional development of children, who learn to manage your own emotions watching how their parents do it.
Aguirre Ackermann reinforced this idea by stating that emotional self-care is not a luxury, but an investment in family health. “When children see their mothers properly manage stress or disconnect from work to relax“They learn to better manage their own emotions,” said the specialist.
This type of self-care includes practices such as meditation, gratitude and self-compassionwhich Holmes also mentioned as effective ways to teach children the importance of take care of themselves from the emotional.
According to Mariam Holmes, habits are formed in childhood through repetition and observation (Feepik)
Despite the importance of self-care and healthy habits, Aguirre Ackermann warned against the risks of an overly controlling approach. “An excessively controlling or authoritarian approach to eating or physical activity can have the opposite effect, causing anxiety or even inappropriate eating behaviors in children,” he warned.
In his opinion, the key is flexibility and positive reinforcementnot in the imposition of strict rules that turn the act of eating or exercising into a source of stress.
“Excessive control about food can be as damaging as a lack of boundaries”he explained. According to studies cited by the expert, children raised in homes where there is extreme control over eating are more likely to overeat and develop difficulties regulating their hunger and satiety signals. For this reason, Aguirre Ackermann stressed that self control is taughtit is not imposed.
A family environment where healthy habits are encouraged guarantees a more balanced life for children (Illustrative image Infobae)
“If feeding is presented as a natural, balanced and pleasant act, children will learn to listen to their body and respond to its signals,” he concluded.
The final message from both experts is clear: example is a powerful tooland self-care is not just an individual benefit, but an investment in the well-being of the entire family.
“There is no way to be a good reference without first understanding the importance of self-careHolmes stated.
Mothers, by taking care of themselves, They are raising a generation of healthier people both physically and emotionally, and they are teaching their children that the key to a balanced life is not in perfection, but in the willingness to learn and grow together.
