Parents who use humour have closer relationships with their children

A new insight into the effects of humour in parenting has found that adults who rely on comedy with their offspring forge stronger bonds with their kids.

The team at Penn State University surveyed 312 people between the ages of 18 and 45 about their experiences of humour in parenting and - of those who stated that their parents used humour - 50.5 per cent said they had a good relationship with their mother and father.

However, this figure fell to 2.9 per cent for those who said their parents didn't use humour.

Professor Benjamin Levi, senior author of the study, said: "Humour can teach people cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and promote creative problem solving and resilience.

"My hope is that people can learn to use humour as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension, but develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and model it for their children."

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