Defiant Child
Your child is constantly challenging authority, testing limits, and breaking the rules. Every time your phone rings, there's a sinking feeling in your chest, anticipating that it might bring bad news from school. You worry about the future: problems with drugs and alcohol, academic failure, legal issues… You feel powerless and angry as your child continues to engage in reckless behavior without any regard for consequences.
Perfectionist Child
You are your child’s biggest cheerleader and they are their harshest critic. They consistently place a heavy burden on themselves to achieve perfection. Unreasonably high expectations result in high anxiety, avoidance of new challenges for fear of failure, and a constant feeling of not being “good enough.” You helplessly watch your child repeat this heartbreaking cycle of disappointment.
Underachieving Child
Your child has limitless potential for success, so why don’t they even TRY? Grades are falling far below expectations and you’re worried about how your child’s lack of motivation will affect their future educational and career opportunities. You feel guilty and frustrated when you compare your child to high-achieving peers. You want the best for your child but they don’t seem to care about anything.
Depression & Anxiety
You just found out your child is suffering with depression and/or anxiety and you are bewildered. You don’t fully understand your child’s experience and you have no confidence in your ability to recognize signs and symptoms. Communication is challenging and you don’t want to say the wrong thing. You’re concerned about how your child's issues will impact their health and safety, academic performance, social life, siblings, and family life.
ASD/ND/ADHD/ODD
These letters come loaded with intense behaviors that can be stressful to manage, especially in public where you feel judged or misunderstood. You’re fearful that your child’s symptoms will impact their relationships, academic success, independence, and overall well-being. You feel depleted due to your child’s constant need for attention, support, and advocacy.
Child with Medical Issues
It’s unfair that your life is harder than others' because of your child’s health problems. You are constantly worried about your child’s development, long-term health, and quality of life. Navigating a complicated health system is frustrating, especially while managing the daily challenges of caring for your child. You grieve the loss of the “normal” childhood you envisioned for your child.
/BLANK/-Parenting
Fill in the BLANK: Co/Step/Single/De Facto/Non-Bio… these parenting roles are common but they are not easy to execute. Communication problems lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Disputes over custody and visitation strain relationships and you’re worried this will negatively impact the well-being of your children. You don’t have time for self care due to the demands of work, household maintenance, and childcare.
Grandparents as Parents
You’ve stepped up to assume the role of primary caregiver for your grandchildren. You’re trying to navigate the challenges of parenting (again) while dealing with strain on your own emotional and financial well-being. You may have health issues that impact your ability to keep up with the physical demands of parenting. The significant generational gap between you and your grandchildren results in communication difficulties.
Parent Guilt
You missed another school event and it’s eating you up inside. You can’t stop thinking about all the times you lost your temper. Seeing other moms doing everything perfectly on social media only intensifies your feelings of inadequacy as a mother. You worry that your parenting choices are criticized by others. You feel pressure to meet expectations of what a "good mom" should be and any perceived failure results in guilt.
Every parent struggles.
It's a sign of strength to recognize when help is needed.
Get in touch.