Does Your View of Time Affect Your Parenting?

A recent study has discovered that the way parents think about time can influence how they raise their children. The study reveals that parents who focus on the present often feel more stressed and exhibit more negative parenting behaviors. On the other hand, parents who think about the future tend to have fewer negative behaviors and are more positively involved with their kids.

The researchers aimed to investigate the connection between future-oriented thinking and parenting. Previous studies have shown that individuals who consider future consequences tend to make better choices regarding their health, money, and education. Conversely, those who focus on immediate outcomes often face negative consequences. However, until now, no one had examined how thinking about the future relates to parenting.

To explore this relationship, the researchers conducted two studies. In the first study, they developed a questionnaire to measure parents' time perspective and their parenting behavior. In the second study, they replicated the findings of the first study and included both mothers and fathers of older children.

The results showed that parents who prioritize immediate outcomes and give little thought to the future experience more stress and display more negative parenting behaviors. Conversely, parents who focus on the future exhibit fewer negative behaviors and have more positive involvement with their children. These results held true even after considering factors such as parental depression, stress, and children's behavior problems.

It's important to acknowledge that this study had some limitations. First, it could not establish cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, it relied on parents reporting their own behavior. Further research could address these limitations and investigate the intricate connections between time perspective, parenting, and other factors like personality traits.

The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of how thinking about time relates to parenting behavior. By comprehending the influence of future-oriented thinking on parenting, researchers and society can better support parents in navigating the challenges and joys of raising children.

— Jason Beaupied, LMHC, MFT