Supporting Parents
Help and Support for Parents in the Early Years
Supporting Parents
Thoughts
on Working with Mothers,
Sussex Counselling News
Creating your own family is an emotional experience...
The tranisition from a couple to a family, or a person to a parent, and each subsequent addition to the family are physically, practically and emotionally demanding, as well as joyous, moments for almost all parents.
and we all need help...
Parenthood is an endeavour that requires support and if you do not have the help you need or find it difficult receiving help you will no doubt find it hard.. Many things change with the arrival of a baby amongst the most obvious your relationship with your partner, with extended family, work/home responsibilities, time and money resources, social networks and the ability to be spontaneous or independent.
even more so if things go wrong..
When things go wrong, or differently from expected, it can be hard to process this especially when the person you may look to for support is also affected by the situation. Also culturally we tend to think it is better to focus on the positives rather than be able to work through difficult feelings or thoughts. You may have heard others say "never mind, you have a healthy baby and that is what matters". The reality of early parenthood rarely matches the imagined version before the baby arrived. Working through these feelings are useful so that you feel you are not alone, normal and can find out how to look after yourself without internal criticism or unreal expectations.
or your own childhood was difficult.
Becoming a parent can throw up all sorts of feelings, needs or expectations that you have acquired throughout your life. Particularly you may have unconscious expectations of yourself in terms of what kind of parent you will be, or will not be. By noticing and understanding these you will be more able to make healthy choices for the well-being of your children, yourself and your family.
What are your needs?
Each family will have different needs. However, matching your needs to what exists is not always easy. .
At present we are offering individual counselling and couples counselling.
For details of other local support or therapeutic services please have a look at what I have discovered locally.
We invite parents of all ethnic backgrounds, age or circumstance.
Please feel free to email us or phone on 01903 230484.
24th February 2012