Being a parent is perhaps one of the best and the most fulfilling feeling one could ever experience in life. However, parenting could also become stressful, not to mention the pressures of child-raising. Fortunately, experts have found some ways to help parents cope when parenting gets difficult.
In an era where modern parents are suffused with parenting advices and sources from the community, websites and hotlines, one might think that getting help is just so easy. Unfortunately, some parents will beg to disagree as it is often difficult for parents to reach out for help as they don't want to a burden for others.
So, how can parents cope when the stresses and pressures of parenting get overwhelming? According to Loudoun Now, The Wellness Connection's licensed marriage and family therapist Susan McCormick explained that there are three major ways that can help parents manage when parenting through difficult times.
One way to cope the challenges of parenting is self-care. McCormick stressed that good nutrition and adequate sleep are vital for parents as these provide them with a better ability to take care of their children.
McCormick also added that children deserve to have happy childhood and parents who can devote some time and bond with them. Another strategy is being able to connect with other, stressing that having someone to talk to could be helpful for parents as it could lessen the load instead of hiding emotions, which could be more stressful.
Talking to others could also be beneficial to parents who have experienced the death of a child. McCormick explained that having a support group could help fight the isolation and devastation brought by pain and grief.
The last but not the least way to cope when parenting through tough times is to ask for help. Although this may be one of the hardest, reaching out for help and accepting that there's a problem or issue could lead to finding a much greater strength to cope with the hardships of life and parenting.
Meanwhile, parenting could also become stressful when dealing with a defiant child. According to Yale Parenting Center director and Yale University psychology and child psychiatry professor Alan Kazdin, the parent's voice tone when giving instructions could be a factor why a child becomes defiant, CNN noted.
A child's defiance, however, could be reduced by offering children choices. Praising good behavior could also be the key for eliminating defiance in children.
In other parenting news, Observer Style & Design explained why helicopter parenting is inadequate when it comes to the children of the world's rich and famous personalities. As a matter of fact, article writer Richard Kirshenbaum said as parents must direct their child's every move, need, whim and future goal to become successful.
What do you think parents should do when parenting becomes overwhelming? Share your thoughts below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
