Tips and Advice from Experts on Parenting

There's No Such Thing as a One Size Fits All in Parenting

Parenting is the process of raising a child from birth to adulthood and facilitating a child's upbringing through all of the stages of development. There is no guidebook on raising children that describes the process from A to B, and parents will often have to learn through trial and error to find the best parenting techniques for their children and unique family dynamics.

Raising children is challenging but so rewarding. You will watch them grow, and you will be there for the great moments like when they first ride their bike independently. There will be challenging moments like helping them navigate difficult periods through adolescence. Parenting does not have a "one size fits all" option, and often you will have to explore what works best for you and your child. Often the gap between what we imagined parenting would be like and what the reality is like is very different. There are many sleepless nights, and we may wonder when we will get to sleep through the night again! A common phrase amongst parents is that “it takes a village to raise a child”, you can receive parenting support here in the 7 Cups community.

Why is it so Hard?

Parenting is a challenging job because it means that you need to think about your child constantly and what is best for them often, this might not mean what is best for you, but you do it anyway to help your children thrive. It often means that you become many different roles, nurse, teacher, mediator, and making tough decisions that are often not popular!

As a parent, it is our job to do our best for our children and be the best parent we possibly can be. Although, it is hard at times to meet the needs of our children. We may also feel isolated and not know who to ask when we are struggling. We may avoid asking for help as we do not want to be seen like we are struggling. Asking for help when you find parenting challenging means you are a good parent, and you are thinking about doing your best for your children.

Parenting is a lifelong commitment and you will experience as a parent some of your proudest moments like holding your newborn child for the very first time. However, there can be moments where you constantly feel guilty for not doing enough with your children because you have been working full-time or perhaps you’ve even gone back to studying.

Common Barriers and Struggles

The common barriers and struggles to parenting may include feeling like you are just not good enough or perhaps feeling like your child does not listen to you. Parenting may be something that you financially struggle with, as raising a child is extremely expensive! Communication is a common problem within parenting, especially with teenagers, and also finding time with busy schedules to spend quality time with your children may also be challenging.

Have you ever felt like you hear your own voice at home often or perhaps like you are repeating the same thing over and over again?

Despite the barriers and struggles to parenting, it is the most rewarding role a person can have.

Challenges to Co-Parenting

There are challenges to raising children, and these may be found when parents are co-parenting after separation. Co-parenting is a shared level of care between both parents for their children. Some of the challenges may be:

• Differences in parenting styles and discipline measures
• Communication difficulties
• Visitation schedules and sharing time between two homes
• Expenses
• Family conflict

Healing From the Wounds

Over time, the wounds can heal, and gradually co-parents find themselves becoming friends and more amiable as time goes on. The key to co-parenting is to focus on the child and not the past issues, as often these can cloud the relationship between two co-parents and come between the children.

Grow as a Parent Through Psychotherapy

Sometimes, it is a very challenging process to feel like you can heal from the wounds and essentially be on the same page. In moments like this, family therapy and individual psychotherapy may help you move forward as a family. It will strengthen your relationship with your child and your co-parent and equip you with the tools in treatment to help you recover. A therapist will likely walk you through your experiences with their expert knowledge and counseling experience.

If your child is struggling with certain types of mental health issues and experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or struggling emotionally, then a therapist may be able to assist. They will provide a tailored treatment plan to be sure you are doing the best for your child.

Online therapy will support you in your parenting journey through the first steps to the teenage years. 7 Cups is an on-demand emotional support platform and a caring and thriving community of people that support one another. The 7 Cups Community has helped over 60 million people in emotional distress since 2013. The community is available globally in 189 countries and 140 languages. We provide 1:1 free support sessions with a trained listener, personalized growth paths to help you feel better and online therapy with licensed therapists.