Frequently Asked Questions

C. Are you concerned about yourself? Are you easily frustrated with your children and find yourself behaving in ways you do not feel comfortable with?

Parental stress is a common problem among today’s parents. Parents today face stresses that were not part of the picture 20 years ago. Many parents are often trying to work, manage a home, and have a social life as well. Many parents do not have support from their extended family and may not have many breaks from parenting. Many parents have on-going personal issues like depression or anxiety. Some parents may have problems in their family, like illness or problems sleeping, which make things harder. Parents may be faced with a particularly challenging child. There may be financial stresses too. Whatever the cause there is help available.

Help starts with identifying the problems. Here are some questions to get you started.

1. Are you isolated from others and feel you have few adult with whom you can talk to openly? Most communities have Early Childhood Family Education programs for families with children birth to 5 years. These programs are run by the school districts and can be contacted through the schools in your area. For parents of an older child, schools often have ideas about other group situations where you could meet other parents. First Call for Help at ….. will have a listing of parent support groups. If a group is not your thing, a counselor can be a good listening ear and can help you find individual ways to connect. A church, synagogue, or mosque can be a resource for connecting with others or getting support. Lastly, sometimes just taking the time to reach out to a neighbor or co-worker can be a good first step if you let them know you are feeling lonely, stressed or in need of support.
2. Are you alone with your children most of the time? Do not be afraid to ask others for help. Most communities have churches or religious organizations, which offer free child, care on an occasional basis. Often community centers, YMCA and the like will offer reasonably priced childcare on occasional basis. If you know of other parents who have children around your child’s age, ask them if they would consider a babysitting exchange; take turns giving each other one night of free baby-sitting. Safety, should always be a consideration when doing these babysitting exchanges. Be sure you feel comfortable with the way the other family disciplines their children and that they know how you want your child treated. It is okay to ask them about guns in their home, alcohol use in their home, and to tell them you do not want them to use physical discipline with your child.
3. Is the way you are disciplining your child not working as you want or hope? Most family counseling centers offer classes or in home counselors which can give you new ideas about how to work with your children.
4. Are you yelling a lot or hitting in anger? If your parenting style is not working you may be getting frustrated. Not all children respond the same way to traditional parenting strategies. Some children need special techniques. Most family counseling centers offer parenting classes or in- home counselors which can give you new ideas about how to work with your children. Call First Call for Help at …. for a list of family counseling centers in your area. If your children are responding to your parenting and you still feel angry, you may need some individual help to get to the cause of your anger. Individual counseling should be available from your medical insurance provider. If they cannot offer you help or you do not have health insurance, individual counseling is available at a reduced rate at many mental health centers.
5. Are you spanking your child and leaving a mark? This is child abuse. Even if it was not intentional. It is a sign that you need help. Please get help for yourself. Your child is being harmed by this type of parenting. Children who are spanked in this manner often experience depression and low self-esteem as adults. They tend to be less successful in school and in employment compared to children who were not disciplined this way. Many will have legal problems themselves from aggressive behavior. Many will abuse drugs or alcohol as a result of this type of parenting. If your parenting style is not working you may be getting frustrated. Not all children respond the same way to traditional parenting strategies. Some children need special techniques. Most family counseling centers offer parenting classes or in-home counselors which can give you new ideas about how to work with your children. Call First Call for Help at .. for a list of family counseling centers in your area. If your children are responding to your parenting and you still feel angry, you may need some individual help to get to the cause of your anger. Individual counseling should be available from your medical insurance provider. If they cannot offer you help or you do not have health insurance, individual counseling is available at a reduced rate at many mental health centers.
6. Are you calling your child names or making negative comments like “you will never turn out good” or “you will never have anything in life.” This is emotional abuse. Your child is being harmed by this type of parenting. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems are often the result of this type of parenting. If your parenting style is not working you may be getting frustrated. Not all children respond the same way to traditional parenting strategies. Some children need special techniques. Most family counseling centers offer parenting classes or in-home counselors which can give you new ideas about how to work with your children. Call First Call for Help at .. for a list of family counseling centers in your area. If your children are responding to your parenting and you still feel angry, you may need some individual help to get to the cause of your anger. Individual counseling should be available from your medical insurance provider. If they cannot offer you help or you do not have health insurance, individual counseling is available at a reduced rate at many mental health centers.

Other FAQs

A. Are you concerned about a child in your family, church, work place or neighborhood?

B. Are you concerned about your own children? Are they possibly being affected by violence or sexual behavior in their home?

D. Do you find your child especially challenging or draining? Are you not getting the support you need or want?

E. Do you just want to help the families and children in your daily life?