Parenting Issues

It’s not easy being a parent. There’s no rulebook. So you have to pick it up as you go along. You may get well-meaning advice from family and friends, but they probably see things differently to you, and who can say whether they know better than you do

It might be foolish to ignore advice from experienced parents, but the circumstances under which they brought up their children may be completely different to your position. So what are the problems you might encounter, and where do you go for help when you don’t know what to do. 

What are typical parenting problems

Many parenting skills are instinctive, and as you grow more experienced you might begin to believe that you are capable of dealing with most problems. But even in the happiest, best ordered households, there are times when difficult issues occur, and you’re not confident about how to tackle them. And partners may find themselves in conflict over their differing views on parenting.

How should you deal with issues such as bullying, hitting or problem behaviour. What should you do when you get divorced, or remarried, or there’s a death in the family.

Children bring huge pleasure, but they also change the balance of a relationship. Even a seemingly joyous event such as the birth of a new baby, can have a negative effect on a child, as they realise that they are no longer the centre of attention. Or a new partner bringing their own child into the family can set up all kinds of potential conflict – not to mention the difficulty a child may have in accepting a step parent as a replacement for their real father or mother.

Growing children introduce all kinds of issues as they struggle to cope with the onset of puberty, or the stresses of schoolwork and exams – and you struggle to cope with their difficult and irrational behaviour. A seemingly angelic child can turn overnight into the teenager from hell, and cause a great deal of worry about the company they are keeping and what they are doing when you are unable to supervise them.

Some children are extremely strong willed and determined, so it can be very challenging to deal with a tiny tyrant who refuses to stay in bed, or eat proper meals, or behave appropriately.
With such a wide range of potential problems, it’s not surprising that occasionally home can seem like a war zone, and we lose confidence in our abilities as parents.

What support is available for parenting issues

Talking through your parenting problems with an impartial, experienced professional counsellor is a good way to take a step back from the situation, and see things in a different light. If you can explore and understand the reasons behind the problems, you will be much better able to arrive at a solution. The support of a trained and independent third party can help a couple to negotiate differences and develop mutually agreed strategies for such things as boundary setting.