How Parents’ Health and Habits Shape Their Children’s Well-Being

Children inherit far more than just hair or eye color from their parents. Daily habits, approaches to wellness and emotional patterns can also be passed down, influencing a child’s health well into adulthood.

Here, Dr. Donald Bearden, chief of Pediatric Psychology and Behavioral Health at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, discusses how parents’ mental and physical health affects their children’s development—and what families can do to create healthier patterns together.

The Parent-Child Health Connection

According to Dr. Bearden, parents’ well-being and their children’s well-being are deeply intertwined. “Recent research on this topic found that parental physical activity and mental health were significantly associated with children's physical activity and mental health,” he explains. In fact, one study showed that the quality of the parent-child relationship explained more than 30% of the variation in adolescent mental health across diverse U.S. populations.

The takeaway is clear: When parents invest in their own wellness and nurture strong relationships, they help establish healthier outcomes for their children across generations.

Habits That Matter Most

Everyday behaviors play a powerful role in shaping children’s health. “Parental habits, honestly, from sleep routines to screen time shape children's long-term health,” states Dr. Bearden. Extensive research has shown that children often mirror their parents’ patterns in areas like nutrition, exercise and sleep.

Even parenting style matters. Affectionate parenting during childhood was shown to predict traits like conscientiousness and emotional stability in adulthood. When parents model healthy routines and nurturing behavior, they set their children up for both physical and emotional success.

The Weight of Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of parenting, but how parents manage it has lasting effects. “Parental stress can disrupt emotional regulation and increase behavioral issues in children,” Dr. Bearden cautions. Constructive conversations, however, can actually buffer kids from emotional harm. By naming stress honestly, modeling coping strategies and maintaining open communication, parents can teach children resilience.

Talking About Health at Every Age

The way parents talk about physical and mental health should evolve as children grow. Dr. Bearden offers age-appropriate strategies:

• Toddlers (1–3 years): Use tone and body language with simple phrases like, “We sleep to grow strong.”
• Preschoolers (4–6 years): Help them name emotions, such as, “You’re sad because your toy broke.”
• Preteens (7–12 years): Model stress management by sharing personal coping strategies like deep breathing or walking.
• Teens (13+ years): Foster open dialogue. Conversations that include family mental health history and transparency about stress can strengthen trust.

These practices give children language and tools to process emotions in healthy ways.

Overcoming Imperfection

Not every parent grew up with healthy habits, but that doesn’t mean they can’t raise resilient children. “Effective parenting is a learned skill. It's not a skill we're born with,” Dr. Bearden emphasizes. Even small, consistent changes—like establishing calm bedtime routines or practicing affectionate communication—can break cycles of adversity.

And when parents fall short? Repair matters more than perfection. A simple apology, such as “I was stressed and I yelled. I’m sorry. Let’s talk about it,” fosters trust and models accountability.

Parents often feel guilty about prioritizing themselves, but Dr. Bearden was direct: “Self-care is not selfish. It’s actually foundational.” Small acts—like taking a walk, finding a quiet moment or ensuring adequate sleep—equip parents to show up with patience and presence for their children.

One Step Parents Can Take Today

When asked for one piece of advice, Dr. Bearden encourages families to start with a single shared habit. “Try a 20-minute walk or a shared meal. You can add activities over time, but start with something manageable and realistic,” he suggests. Research shows that these simple, consistent moments of connection predict better health outcomes years later.

Parents don’t need to be perfect to make a lasting difference. By modeling healthy routines, managing stress, and fostering open communication, families can build strong foundations for both present and future well-being.