"Parents (and Caregivers) are the gateway to reducing the effects of childhood trauma. They are the models to strengthen attachment, improving resiliency, and help the next generation."
LaLisa Morgan, LCSW
Take a sigh of relief----
There is no such thing as a perfect parent! We are all learning as we go along. Each child is different. There is no cookie cutter approach to parenting.
Stress from challenges in parenting can create crushing negative thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Overwhelmed parents often experience such difficulties as:
- A sense of defeat
- Hopelessness
- Isolation, being the only one who “can’t handle” parenting
- Thoughts of incompetence, inadequacy
- Emotional distancing
- Lack of pleasure in their children
- Resentment of the kids
- Irritability
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Feeling defeated or loss of control
- Increasingly strained parent-child relationship
- Difficulty communicating with the “other parent”
- Decreased pleasure with your partner/spouse
- Loss of Identity with yourself
Parents are human. Parents make mistakes no matter how hard they try not to. The drive to be perfect parent or have perfect children can zap the joy out of parenthood and rob you of the opportunity to enjoy and connect to your kids.
Parenting can be hard, and the stress of managing a household, your needs and the needs of your children can have you feeling overextended and drained. Parenting alone or in partnership with your companion can be difficult to manage. Your personal physical, mental, and emotional resources are sometimes stretched and nearly empty, raising kids can seem impossible. Parents need their love tank filled also!! Sometimes you need support to love yourself so you can love your offspring in the best possible way. If you have found yourself frazzled and frayed because parenting is hard, don’t beat yourself up for it. You aren’t the only one.
Working with a licensed therapist can help you problem solve and not feel so alone while you walk through the parenting years.
When you’re exhausted and burned out, trying to change your situation can seem daunting. That belief is part of stress-induced fatigue and problem-solving difficulties. Working with a licensed therapist can guide you through parenting challenges and help you regain your positive parenting experiences with discussing things such as:
- Being a “good enough” parent and not expecting perfection from yourself or your child(ren)
- Establishing firm boundaries and consistent healthy discipline techniques
- Shifting negative thinking by normalizing your parenting experiences, and finding positive solutions
- Creating parenting goals that fit your family which align with your Family values
- Prioritizing household management, chores, and family lifestyle while cutting back on the number of structured activities your kids are doing.
- Involve your kids in a healthy discussions about the home and how to incorporate their input
- Seek support from your circle of support in both your family and community
- Develop a personal self-care plan that includes rest, recreation, and reconnection with yourself and the ones you love.
- Create a plan to share responsibilities with your spouse, partner, or the other parent and clear map out agreed goals for your child(ren).
Let’s work together to make parenting less hard and reduce your risk of parental burnout, make your parenting thoughts and actions less about the pressures of others and more about the harmony and love you seek to give the children in your home.
CHILD THERAPY WITH THE PARENT AS THE FOCUS!
Call to schedule an appointment today!
Conjoint sessions with your child(ren) can also guide you through on more difficult parenting challenges.
SPECIALTY GROUPS. We are currently gathering names and emails for those interested in the following specialty PARENTING groups:
- NEW MOTHERS/FATHERS
- SURVIVING THE CHAOS OF SHARED PARENTING-WOMEN'S EDITION & MEN'S EDITION
- PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS WITH MINOR OR ADULT CHILDREN