What is good parenting?

Parenthood can be a satisfying and fulfilling experience. But it can also be difficult, time-consuming, exhausting and daunting. New parents, overwhelmed parents and parents with mental health problems may benefit from the support of a professional. A therapist or counsellor can help parents through difficult situations or behavioural problems.

From the moment they announce a pregnancy or adoption, most parents are constantly getting ideas about how to parent their child. Often conflicting advice is given about parenting. Family members may also have different opinions about what is best for the child.

But what should we follow? We can be unsure about what is best for our child. There is no single salutary "sure-fire" parenting method. Parents can try out different parenting styles to find out what works for their children (and of course parents).

However, we consider the following to be indispensable:

  • Keeping children safe
  • Listening to children and spending time with them
  • Listening to children and listening to them
  • Setting and enforcing limits for children
  • Monitoring children's friendships
  • Seeking help for any medical or behavioural problems
  • Parenting principles jointly developed and adhered to by both parents

Typical challenges reported by parents:

  • Ensuring consistent care
  • Meeting the needs of the infant or young child
  • Maintaining adult relationships (not only functioning as parents, but also remaining a male-female relationship)
  • Financial difficulties
  • Not being able to live in the moment, always distracted
  • Planning and scheduling children's days
  • Lack of sleep
  • Overwork

How Parent Counseling Can Help

Parent counselling is a service designed to provide knowledge, guidance, tools and emotional support without judgement or bias. Unlike family therapy, parent counselling focuses on how we as parents influence family dynamics. Parenting counselling can help us to better understand our parenting style through a variety of methods and to gain a deeper understanding of our own motivations, stumbling blocks and doubts. By the end of the process, you will be more competent, better equipped to face everyday or extraordinary parenting situations, and will experience a more harmonious relationship with your child and your spouse.