There is something scary about parenting these days – arguably scarier than at any time in the past. We can talk about how social media may play a role (triggering fears about missing or exploited children, or sharing stories of child tragedies). We can talk about the current political environment around schools. We can talk about how much more stimulation there is, or the possible rise in developmental issues like ADHD.
We can talk about COVID. We can talk about rising prices.
We can talk about a lot of things, but in any/all of these situations, the main takeaway is that parenting is difficult, and many, many parents are finding themselves anxious. That anxiety can become its own significant problem:
- Anxiety can make it more difficult to be present with your child, leading to missing out on milestones or making it harder to love them the way you want to.
- Anxiety can be contagious, unintentionally teaching children to be more anxious and causing them to develop more anxiety as they get older.
- Anxiety can be life altering. When we’re always worried, it can not only touch everything we do – it can change our brain chemistry to cause anxiety disorders, depression, and more.
So while parenting anxiety may seem like a normal, maybe even healthy part of parenting, it is often anything but. That is why it is so important for those that are struggling to seek out help. You don’t need to have a diagnosable disorder to see a therapist. What matters is that you’re not where you want to be with your mental health, and you need someone to help you move forward.
Therapists for Parenting
Parenting IS stressful. It is hard. It is time consuming and, for many, it can lead to anxiety and other mental health challenges. Dr. Sadi Fox of Flourish Psychology even offers on some occasions a parenting group for post-partum moms that is specifically about adjusting to the mental health components of parenting for that very reason.
Yet, whether you’re part of a group or on your own, there is immense benefit to taking this anxiety seriously – learning to address your feelings and make sure that you’re getting help. These moments are precious, and they move quickly. The last thing you want is to find that your child is turning 4, or 7, or 18, and you’ve spent much of their childhood feeling more nervous and more stressed than you needed to be.
Don’t be afraid to seek out a therapist for parenting just because “all parenting is hard.” Parenting is hard, but you still deserve to feel your best so you, your child, and your partner are in the best place possible. Learn more about our psychotherapy or group services for parents in NYC by reaching out to Flourish Psychology, today.