At Teenage Mental Health, we know how powerful the love, presence, and guidance of a mother, or maternal figure, can be in a young person’s life. As we take a moment to reflect on the role of mothers in emotional development, we want to celebrate the everyday moments, big and small, where mums help shape stronger, happier futures.

Whether you’re a birth mum, adoptive mum, step-mum, foster carer, grandmother, or another form of caring maternal figure, you matter deeply.

🫶 The Safe Place Children Return To

For many children, mum is the person they run to when things go wrong, when they’re sad, or when they just need a cuddle. Mothers often create the emotional "home base", a secure foundation from which children can explore the world and return to when things feel overwhelming.

Psychologists call this “secure attachment,” and research shows it’s a strong predictor of healthy emotional development, better coping strategies, and positive relationships later in life.

Being attuned to your child’s needs, listening when they speak, holding them when they cry, and noticing when they seem “off”, lays the groundwork for lifelong mental wellbeing.

🧘 Emotional Understanding and Expression

Mums are often a child’s first teacher of emotions. From early on, they help children name feelings like sadness, anger, joy, and worry. They also model how to express these feelings in healthy, respectful ways.

This emotional guidance is crucial. Young people who feel heard and validated by their mums are more likely to develop strong emotional intelligence, something that protects against anxiety, low mood, and poor self-esteem.

It’s not about always getting it right (no parent can!). It’s about being emotionally available, willing to learn, and staying connected through the ups and downs.

📚 Encouraging Growth, Inside and Out

Mothers support learning in so many forms, whether it’s encouraging schoolwork, fostering curiosity, or celebrating achievements. Studies show that when mums show interest in a child’s development, academic, emotional, or creative, children are more likely to feel capable and motivated.

Mums often juggle so much behind the scenes, and their quiet encouragement can be the voice a child hears in their head when they doubt themselves. That belief, planted early, often helps children try harder, take risks, and bounce back from setbacks.

🧠 Mental Health & Maternal Bonds

Maternal relationships can have a powerful impact on a young person’s mental health. Research shows:

• Children with supportive mothers are more likely to have lower anxiety and stronger coping skills.

• Maternal warmth is linked to higher self-esteem and better social relationships.

• In adolescence, open communication with mothers often reduces risky behaviour and supports better emotional regulation.

Of course, every relationship is unique—and not all children have easy, uncomplicated relationships with their mothers. At TMH, we work with many young people and parents navigating complex family histories, breakdowns in communication, or the pain of loss or separation. Even in these cases, healing is always possible—with time, support, and care.

🤱 What If Mum Isn’t Present?

Not every child grows up with a mother figure nearby. Some have lost contact, experienced trauma, or never known their mum.

Others may have more than one person who plays that role, whether it’s a grandmother, older sister, carer, or mentor.

What matters most is not the label, but the love and emotional safety a child receives. Anyone no matter their relationship or Gender can help a child, by showing Empathy, anyone can positively influence a child. 

Children thrive when they have someone consistent and emotionally available to lean on. So if you are filling that maternal role for someone, thank you. You are making a difference that can last a lifetime.

💛 Our Message to Mums and Mother Figures

At Teenage Mental Health, we celebrate you. We see the emotional labour, the worry, the love, the laughter, and the quiet strength behind it all. You are often the glue that holds things together, even when it feels like you’re winging it (and let’s face it, we all are sometimes).

To all the mums supporting their children through anxiety, identity questions, school stress, or friendship struggles, your presence makes a world of difference. And if you ever feel unsure, overwhelmed, or like you’re not doing enough—we’re here for you too.

Whether you're parenting a young child or navigating the teenage years, you deserve support, kindness, and recognition.

With love from all of us at TMH

Together, let’s keep building strong families, secure relationships, and better mental health for everyone, one caring connection at a time.

If you or your child needs support, we’re just a call or message away:
www.teenagementalhealth.co.uk
01473 411324