Parents / Parenting

If you had good enough parenting on both sides around you as you were growing up, you will often look to those parental relationships to find the way forward. However, there will be different agendas coming into the parenting; some good, some not so good. There is no right or wrong here, you just need to decide on your way of parenting and agree to it together as your children reach different stages of development.

As well as bringing us joy, children can pose a challenge which can leave parents feeling exhausted, exasperated and desperate. Parenting can lead to feelings of isolation and can have a profound effect on your relationship with your partner.

Communicating between you as parents about your children should be done in private. NEVER disagree with a parenting decision in front of your children until they reach an age and stage in life when they have a part in the decision-making process. There is no doubt you will disagree at times on your parenting style, but try not to argue and use raised voices as often your children will hear you, even when you are sure they are not listening. Think about a time you heard raised voices, insults or anger between your parents when you were supposedly asleep.

Our Nightingale counsellor assigned to you will also be a parent. They will understand the challenges and difficulties around parenting, and together you will look at designing a parenting programme to enable your children to grow and flourish, and for you to get back to parenting more effectively. As a united front, you make the rules and stick to them. Third party advice and gathering information is good but ultimately you decide together how to proceed. If grandparents are involved with your children and your parenting, please be aware that they sometimes can create a point of conflict in your relationship and parenting. If this is happening, bring it up in counselling sooner rather than later.