Here are some reasons why parenting is so hard:
The learning curve: They don’t teach us how to parent in school. The step learning curve sometimes throws new parents off.
The Anxiety: You want the best for your child, making sure everything they eat, touch, and see is perfect and this keeps your anxiety level high. Even if your child is a teenager, this anxiety might not go away for the parents.
Pressure from outside: We like to compare ourselves with others; the same is said about comparing our children. Maybe the neighbors’ child is already fluent in a foreign language while your child is still making grammatical mistakes.
You feel alone: Parenting can be isolating, not just for single parents. Making parent friends can be scary and you might not know where to start.
No exit: There is no pause button or return policy. You might fantasize about taking a flight to a paradise and never look back, but the reality is your child is currently requiring 110% of your attention.
Let’s face it, kids are insane. They have big mood swings, cry spells and sometimes extremely high energy while throwing a tantrum. But this doesn’t change the fact that we love them deeply. Nevertheless, there are ways to help parents become better at parenting and feel less lost.
Support groups are safe spaces structured to allow participants to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies and information. The discussions often are facilitated by an experienced leader or a medical professional.
They say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Support groups can allow us to make connections, providing a strong support network for new and struggling parents.
Benefits of participating in support groups can include:
Reducing feelings of loneliness, isolation and stigma resulted from parenting
Getting practical advice or information about child education
Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
Learning about health, economic or social resources
Benefits of online support groups can include:
Faster time to get help, skipping appointment wait time
More frequent or flexible participation
A cost-effective way to see a licensed mental health professional
A degree of privacy or anonymity comparing to local community support groups
Opportunities for people in areas with no face-to-face support groups
You are not alone. Herd is ready to support you.