Appendix IV

Home Visitation Parent: Questions

for Exploring Parent-Child Interactions

The following questions are designed to assist home visitors to understand the beliefs,
attitudes, and expectations that a parent has about interacting with their infant or child. These
are not exhaustive but rather are meant to be examples for exploring the parent-child
relationship. You may choose to use one or two of these questions during a session as a way to
explore the parent-child relationship.

Rollnick and Miller (1983) stress that it is important not to rush these discussions. Using
simple open-ended questions and reflective listening may feel “inefficient”, but it is the most
effective method for engaging parents in the decision to make a change for themselves and
their child. It is important to match your language to that of the parent. Do NOT use words like
“problem” or “concern” unless the parent does.

Parenting Role and Confidence of Parent

1. What do you enjoy or like about being a mother/father?

Playing with my kids, taking them to visit places, talking to them about my childhood
and, taking them to the river are a few of the things I enjoy doing with my kids.

2. What is the most difficult or challenging part about being a mother/father?

Two of the most challenging things about being a mother are taking care of them when
they are sick and keeping a close eye on my boys; they move so fast.

3. Has it turned out to be about the right time to have a baby? How so?

No, I was at the University of Belize pursuing an associate degree in Education when I
became pregnant. I was not able to complete my degree because I was pregnant and felt
like I needed a break.

4. Tell me what it is like caring for a newborn.

I found taking care of a newborn very scary. They are small and delicate, I felt like I was
going to hurt them.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09
5. How well do you believe you are coping with your new role of caring for your baby?

I am coping very well. Sometimes it is challenging when they are sick, but I have my
family and husband to support me.

6. What things do you worry about when it comes to being a parent?

7.
I worry about my children’s future and what will happen to them if I die. They will have
my family, but it will not be the same without me.

8. How do you feel about being alone with your baby?

I am extremely happy when I am alone with my babies. We sing play games and watch
cartoons together.

9. How often does your baby fuss or cry?

My son is quiet, he is only going to cry if he wants his bottle or someone provoked him.

10. What is it like for you when your baby cries or fusses?

Pretty normal, I just need to stop what I am doing and give him some attention.

11. What have you found to be the best way to respond to your baby when he/she cries or
fusses?

Hugging and kissing him works all the time.

12. Do you feel confused, stressed, or anxious about being a parent once in a while?

I feel anxious at times because I worry too much about little everything.

13. Overall, how confident are you in your new role: extremely, somewhat, most of the time,
not al all.
I am extremely confident in my role as a mother.

14. What advice would you give to other moms?

 Breastfeed your kids.

 Give your baby time to grow before you have more kids
 Put your kids first in your life.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09
Beliefs and Expectations About Parenting

15. When you were pregnant, what did you think it would be like to be a parent?
When I became pregnant, I was both happy and sad. Honestly, I did not think about what
it would be like to be a mom.

16. Is being a parent what you expected it to be? Explain.

No, it is not. I taught it would have been an easy job where kids do as they are told. That
is not the case, they are little, but they have their own minds and sometimes want to do
their own thing.

17. Did you think that having a child would change your life for the better or worse?
I knew having my baby was going to change my life for the better.

18. How did you think it would change your life?

I knew that I would be responsible for someone else and had to put them first. This meant
having less time to spend with friends, no parties, and less money to spend on clothing.

19. How has being a parent changed your life?

Having my son changed my life in many ways. On one hand, I have more work, less
money to spend on me and I get less sleep. On the other hand, I am never alone, my kids
are always there to hug and kiss me when I feel down.

20. What kinds of things are most important for you to know as a parent?
It is important that I know how to cook, wash, and keep my kids safe.

21. What kinds of things are most important for you to do as a parent?
Teaching my kids to be respectful, to brush their teeth, to help tidy the house, playing
with my kids, and taking them to church are some important things for parents to do.

22. What has changed in your life since you became a parent?

I have less time to spend with my friends, more domestic chores; plus, I have two new
best friends.

23. When you think about your own parents, in what way do you want to be like them?
I will be a parent that always gives selflessly to ensure their kids always have what they
need just like my parent.

24. When you think about your own parents, in what way do you want to be different than
they were?
I some ways my siblings and I were spoiled. For example, my mom did most of the
chores decease she wanted us to study. When my kids are older, I will give them daily
chores; I think they can study and do their chores.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09
25. What would you do that is the same as your parents did?
As a child, I enjoyed working in the garden over the weekend. This is something I want
to do with my kids when they are older.

26. What would you do differently than your parents did?

One of the things I want to do differently is to open a savings account. This is something
my parents were not able to do for us.

Well-being of Parent and Social Support

27. Do you feel comfortable with change?

Yes, most of the time I am comfortable with change.

28. How do you deal with unexpected change?

Unexpected change is frustrating; but with time I adjust. I try to always look on the bright
side; I grew up hearing that when one door is close many more is open. This gives me
hope.

29. Do you have any stressors or worries right now?

Yes, I lost my job a few months ago which is stressful.

30. Tell me about your health and energy level at this time. Do you have any health concerns
at this time?
I do not have any health concerns right now; plus, I have a lot of energy since I am at
home all the time now.

31. How often so you see a doctor?

I only go to the doctors if I am extremely sick. The last time I saw the doctor was over
two years ago.

32. Are you getting enough rest? When are you able to rest?
Yes, I am in bed by 7 every night; I am getting more than enough rest.

33. Who supports you as a parent?

I have a very strong support system; my husband, my parent, sibling, niece, and nephews
are always them to help me when I need the help.

34. Is there anyone that helps you once in a while?

My parents and husband are always there when I need them.

35. When you are sick who helps you?

My mother and my husband help with the kids when I am sick.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09
36. Who supports you as a parent?
My husband is incredibly supportive; together we are doing an exceptionally good job
parenting our kids.

37. Do you have someone you can call when you need advice or support?

Yes, I can contact my parents and sisters when I need advice, they are always there when
I need them.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09
 References

DelCarmen-Wiggins, R. & Carter, A. (2004). Handbook of Infant, Toddler, and Preschool

Mental Health Observation. (1st ed.). Oxford University Press.

Schore, A. (2001). Effects of a secure attachment relationship on right brain development, affect
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Cohn, J. & Tronick, E., (1989). Specificity of Infants Response to Mother’s Affective Behavior.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 24:4, 242-248.

Ferrier-Lynn, M. & Skouteris, H. (2008). Parent cognitions and parent-infant interaction: the
relationship with development in the first 12 months. Australian Journal of Early Childhood.
Vol,33 No. 2 June 2008 pp 17-26

Schiffman, R. & Omar, M. (2003). Mother-infant interaction in high risk, low income families.
The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing. 28:4, 246-251.

Ainsworth, M. & Bell, S. (1975). Mother-infant interactions and the development of

competence. Grant Foundation New York; Office of Child Development (DHEW). Washington,
DC.

Ainsworth, M. (1969). Object relations, dependency, and attachment: A theoretical review of the
infant-mother relationship. Child Development, 40:4, 969-1023.

Rollnick, S. & Miller, W. (1983). Practical Strategies in Motivational Interviewing. Handout.

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

Parent-Child Interactions: A home Visitor’s Guide
03/09