Parenthood
Children bring joy and happiness to life, but parenting is also a responsibility and sometimes a challenge. When parents receive support, the whole family’s wellbeing improves.
How Can I Cope as a Parent?
Everyday life with children can sometimes be exhausting: sleepless nights, stress, and worries. Parents must make many decisions and balance work, family, and personal time. Concerns may relate to child-rearing, finances, or the division of household responsibilities.
Your coping improves when you remember that things don’t have to be perfect. You’re a good parent! Everyone needs help with parenting, and it’s important to have a support network, such as family, friends, and professionals.
- Ask relatives or friends for help with childcare.
- Focus on the most essential chores and take time to relax.
- Make time for yourself and for meeting friends.
- If you’re in a relationship, take care of it as well.
- Enjoy parenthood and be present for your child.
- Talk about your worries and seek help when needed.
If exhaustion is constant or parenting feels too difficult, turn to your child health clinic, family counselling centre, or parent support groups.
How Do I Build a Relationship with My Child?
Attachment develops through shared time and early interaction, already during infancy. It helps the child feel safe and supports the development of self-esteem.
Take care of your relationship with your child by playing together and reading bedtime stories. This shows the child that their activities matter. Listen and try to understand. When a child throws a tantrum, it’s not to annoy you; there’s always a reason behind it. Be consistent when setting limits, and teach your child what’s important.
A secure attachment supports the child’s wellbeing and health throughout life. Sometimes a parent may find it difficult to be a safe adult, for example due to exhaustion or challenges from their own childhood. Relationship problems or the home atmosphere can also have an impact. It’s always worth asking for help.
Relationships, Separation, and Different Types of Families
Families come in many forms: biological parents, adoptive parents, foster families, blended families. Every family is valuable and unique. What matters most is that a child has a safe and loving home.
Relationships change over time, especially when the family grows. The first months with a baby can be exhausting, and arguments may occur more easily. Spending time together and maintaining mutual trust and respect help strengthen the relationship and build a sense of shared parenthood.
Separation in Families with Children
A separation is a major change for the whole family and should be carefully considered. When parents separate, children are affected and need adult support and time to adjust. A child’s behaviour may change, and they may feel sad, irritated, or afraid of being abandoned.
Good cooperation between parents after a separation is crucial. If parents argue, it can confuse the child, as they are loyal to both. Speaking respectfully about one another helps the child cope better. A separation can also teach children that it’s possible to overcome difficult life situations.
Living arrangements and childcare should be agreed upon according to the child’s age and needs. These arrangements can be adjusted as the child grows. If the child is not doing well in one parent’s home, the situation must be addressed immediately.
Blended Families
A blended family includes at least one child who belongs biologically to only one of the partners. The situation can initially be confusing for everyone, so it’s important to seek support from family members or peer groups.
Take time to get to know your new stepchild and allow them space to adapt. The child may initially be distant or resistant. It’s important to show that the new partner has nothing against the child’s biological parent. Avoid criticizing or speaking negatively about the other parent, as it causes the child pain and distress.
Everyday life in a blended family involves adjusting to new people and routines. Respecting one another and providing gentle care for the child help build a positive relationship.
Self-Care and Self-Assessment
Information and self-help programs for parents and relatives of children.
Learn ways to strengthen your interaction with your baby or toddler with the help of this self-help program from Mielenterveystalo.
With the help of this self-help program from Mielenterveystalo you can learn to act in ways that encourage desirable behavior and reduce problematic behavior.
Do you need ways to cope with difficult emotions? Explore your own emotional blocks with the help of this self-help program from Mielenterveystalo.
This self-help program from Mielenterveystalo provides information and exercises to improve communication and develop coping strategies for recovering from crises.
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