No one is expected to know the answer to every parenting question or challenge. Maybe you’re not sure what to do about a situation or what to do when everything you’ve tried hasn’t worked. Try talking with friends, your pediatrician, your faith leader, or your child's teacher or child care professional. If they're not able to help, they can often refer you to additional resources including parenting groups, behavior specialists, or counselors.
Sometimes people are afraid to ask for help. They believe that they should know how to handle the situation or only people with really bad problems should ask for help. We don't expect ourselves to know and understand everything about the cars we drive and don't think twice about asking for help when we need it. It is better to ask for help than to ignore a problem while it gets worse.
Sometimes the whole family needs some extra help. One child’s challenges with illness, depression, or drug abuse can often affect siblings and parents. Talk to your child’s teacher, a school counselor, or your family doctor for referrals to therapists or support groups. Try to help everyone get the individual attention or special help they need to process their feelings about the situation.
Additional Resources:
Kids Health: Easy to navigate website that includes information on child development, positive parenting, and commonly asked questions.
Aha Parenting: Includes an ages and stage quickstart section where you can look for advice tailored to the age of your child.
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