Strengthening Parent and Child Relationships

The dream of a happy, healthy family was so enticing.

But the reality often falls short.

Life now feels so much harder than it should be. The kids are getting older, and things aren’t getting better. Sometimes, they feel flat-out worse.

Does the family revolve around you, leaving you overwhelmed and exhausted from all the roles you fill?

There’s no time for you. You probably want to escape… but feel guilty for even thinking that.

Are you sleep-deprived?

When you miss out on sleep, every day begins with fewer resources. You become a frazzled auto-pilot as you go through your day. If only you could sleep, it might take the edge off everything else.

Do you feel like a parenting failure?

Especially when you compare yourself to other parents who seem to have a much easier go of it? It doesn’t help how they’re quick to tell you what you’re doing wrong when you look for answers. Their advice usually doesn’t fit anyway.

As parents, it’s our job to set limits.

But what makes it hard is that children will test those limits. That’s expected, but it can put serious strain on a family.

Parenting has changed a lot over the past few generations. Children have changed. They are influenced by very different expectations from schools, peers, and society than in previous decades. And technology has changed all of us. Doing work or school from home has presented us with new challenges.

Yet we are hardwired to parent the way we were parented because that is what we were shown.

And when those ways don’t work, conflict is inevitable. As parents get overwhelmed, anxiety builds in the family, and kids are not immune from it.

The parent experience is complicated by kids who aren’t neurotypical. You can’t parent all children the same way. They may look alike but have very different needs. Intellectually, we know they must make their way in the world, but how can we help them navigate these obstacles? Watching our children handle their own challenges can be heartbreaking.

How do I juggle the different needs of different kids?

What if I need multiple parenting approaches for my kids?

How do I manage the needs of one child while struggling with postpartum depression from the last?

What if my spouse has checked out?

I can’t just quit my job, so where does that fit in?

Therapy can help you with your parenting.

Your children will push their boundaries and test the limits you’ve put down. But therapy can show you how to cope with your feelings when this happens—and how to manage the situation with love and consistency.

I’ll also teach you ways to incorporate self-care into your routine—for yourself and the other family members (who are likely overwhelmed, too).

Therapy can give you a reset. It’s an opportunity to approach and untangle old patterns of responding the same way.

Just breathe. You’ve got this!

Parenting is a marathon – not a sprint. We’re working together so that you’ll be successful over the long haul.

Therapy can be empowering. It can remind you that you’re braver and stronger than you know. So, please, release yourself from the unhealthy guilt of not having all the answers.

Lean on someone who can bring research-based approaches that restore the balance.

Call me now for a brief consult so we can get a roadmap back to home: (832) 510-0373.