The number of challenging situations associated with parenting and families is endless, but common conflicts can include relationships with grandparents, in-laws, difference in opinion when it comes to raising children, and even trauma, such as domestic violence, or alcohol and drug abuse. It can be challenging to watch family members struggle, and in many cases, you may not know how to resolve the problem. Seeking support from a mental health professional can help parents and families develop acceptance and skills to repair relationships that may seem unsalvageable.
Parenting and family issues may include:
- Being a single parent
- Divorce
- Infidelity
- Problems caused by divorced parents entering new relationships, each with children of their own
- Fewer opportunities for parents and children to spend time together
- Deployment
Parenting Support
Each of these issues can affect a family, and its important that you don’t weather the storm alone. Parent support groups can assist with improving parenting skills, as well as relationships between parents and their children. They can also assist stay-at-home parents that may be feeling a loss from not having regular interaction with other adults. Conversely, they can help parents who are employed to deal with feelings of losing a connection with their children because they are are not with them because of work.
What does parenting support look like?
- Therapy can be in the form of a support group with other parents, one-on-one sessions with a therapist, or may involve family counseling. Support can be helpful if you have a young child who is going through some kind of developmental or genetic disorder.
- Parenting support can take the form of group therapy which involves meeting with other parents to discuss your child’s behaviors and offer advice to one another.
Parenting and family issues are oftentimes intertwined. Treatment methods vary and will depend on an individual or family situation. The healing process may focus on improving communication between family members, as well as finding healthy ways of resolving a conflict. Setting clear boundaries and communicating effectively as parents can set a good example for your children. If a child is suffering from a genetic disorder or a mental health condition, these are topics that can be addressed with family or individual counseling. Couples counseling is effective at supporting parents in child-rearing.
Being a parent carries a lot of responsibility, and the process can be difficult at times. Whether you are married or single, you may feel hopelessly alone, especially if you are dealing with a difficult situation or behavior issues with your child.
You don’t have to face parenting and family challenges alone. Seek help from a qualified therapist or a professional support group to gain some much-needed perspective that will allow you to effectively work through the problems at hand.