Help For Parents
Philosophical Approach to Raising Healthy Families. Children don’t come with instruction manuals. Whether you are a new parent or an experienced parent, raising a healthy family is an ongoing learning process. I provide a space where you can share parenting concerns, discover nurturing parenting strategies, and develop effective skills and the discipline necessary to cope with the challenges of parenting. My approach is to help you identify your values and priorities, and then organize your life to be in harmony with your vision of the parent you want to be.
Utilizing a strength-based approach, I help you discover your own answers, to trust yourself and to listen to your inner strengths. We’ll take time to learn who your child is – their temperament and personality - and explore how your parenting style relates to your child’s temperament, reconciling any differences. The efforts a parent puts into strengthening the parent-child relationship has a profound impact on later growth and development, self esteem, academic performance and life achievements.
Family Changes. Adjustments to divorce, single parenting, remarriage and step parenting don’t happen automatically or without effort and conscious thought. Chronic illnesses, job changes and moving can also impact families. Knowing what to expect and how to respond can make the adjustments easier. I help families get through family changes with mutual respect and understanding.
Parenting Relationships that work have healthy patterns of interactions and problem solving practices that you both agree to and abide by. Couples sometimes need help working through different discipline styles or differences on how to raise the children. Practicing parental teamwork, sharing responsibilities, balancing roles, and successful negotiations help you create a parenting relationship that is acceptable for the two of you. When the parenting relationship thrives – children blossom.
The Importance of Self-Care. Parental priorities are often listed in this order: kids, spouse, job, school, sports and extracurricular activities, housework, pets - then you – last on the list. Hobbies, interests, nutrition, exercise and spiritual health end up on the back burner. Finding a balance helps you manage stress and enjoy parenting.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborns bring the greatest transition in a marriage – the birth of a family. When couples are not prepared to meet the new challenges and roles, their relationship can deteriorate rapidly. Intimacy and couple time is no longer spontaneous, and requires effort and planning. Other stressors that can bring a parent to counseling during this time include prenatal mood swings, miscarriage, postpartum depression, fatigue, fears and anxieties, parent-child bonding and
attachment.
The Nuts and Bolts for Raising Children and Tweens include consistency and follow through, establishing routine and family rules, appropriate expectations of children, positive and preventive discipline strategies, and open communication and listening skills. Practical strategies for young children tend to focus on bedtime routines, potty training, night terror, tantrums, separation anxiety, and special needs children. Middle childhood and Tweens (11-12 year olds) often need parental support with homework issues, peer relationships, sibling conflicts, and help coping with difficult feelings – anger, fears, failure, and loss.
Multi-Generational Family Therapy. I also help adults working through past hurts or current stressors with their family of origin, families healing and reconnecting following substance abuse recovery, and parents sandwiched between taking care of children at home while simultaneously taking care of aging parents. Some parents need support defining the roles of grandparents and extended family, while other are redefining their own roles after their children leave the nest.
Profound Loss. Words cannot describe the mournful cry of a parent whose child has died. It is truly an honor and a privilege to provide comfort and support to parents coping with profound loss. Counseling and outside support is crucial for any life altering event that shakes a family to its core.
Contact me for a free consultation
Utilizing a strength-based approach, I help you discover your own answers, to trust yourself and to listen to your inner strengths. We’ll take time to learn who your child is – their temperament and personality - and explore how your parenting style relates to your child’s temperament, reconciling any differences. The efforts a parent puts into strengthening the parent-child relationship has a profound impact on later growth and development, self esteem, academic performance and life achievements.
Family Changes. Adjustments to divorce, single parenting, remarriage and step parenting don’t happen automatically or without effort and conscious thought. Chronic illnesses, job changes and moving can also impact families. Knowing what to expect and how to respond can make the adjustments easier. I help families get through family changes with mutual respect and understanding.
Parenting Relationships that work have healthy patterns of interactions and problem solving practices that you both agree to and abide by. Couples sometimes need help working through different discipline styles or differences on how to raise the children. Practicing parental teamwork, sharing responsibilities, balancing roles, and successful negotiations help you create a parenting relationship that is acceptable for the two of you. When the parenting relationship thrives – children blossom.
The Importance of Self-Care. Parental priorities are often listed in this order: kids, spouse, job, school, sports and extracurricular activities, housework, pets - then you – last on the list. Hobbies, interests, nutrition, exercise and spiritual health end up on the back burner. Finding a balance helps you manage stress and enjoy parenting.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborns bring the greatest transition in a marriage – the birth of a family. When couples are not prepared to meet the new challenges and roles, their relationship can deteriorate rapidly. Intimacy and couple time is no longer spontaneous, and requires effort and planning. Other stressors that can bring a parent to counseling during this time include prenatal mood swings, miscarriage, postpartum depression, fatigue, fears and anxieties, parent-child bonding and
attachment.
The Nuts and Bolts for Raising Children and Tweens include consistency and follow through, establishing routine and family rules, appropriate expectations of children, positive and preventive discipline strategies, and open communication and listening skills. Practical strategies for young children tend to focus on bedtime routines, potty training, night terror, tantrums, separation anxiety, and special needs children. Middle childhood and Tweens (11-12 year olds) often need parental support with homework issues, peer relationships, sibling conflicts, and help coping with difficult feelings – anger, fears, failure, and loss.
Multi-Generational Family Therapy. I also help adults working through past hurts or current stressors with their family of origin, families healing and reconnecting following substance abuse recovery, and parents sandwiched between taking care of children at home while simultaneously taking care of aging parents. Some parents need support defining the roles of grandparents and extended family, while other are redefining their own roles after their children leave the nest.
Profound Loss. Words cannot describe the mournful cry of a parent whose child has died. It is truly an honor and a privilege to provide comfort and support to parents coping with profound loss. Counseling and outside support is crucial for any life altering event that shakes a family to its core.
Contact me for a free consultation