Parenting Concerns
Adjusting to parenthood is a job that nothing can fully prepare us for. Greater geographic mobility, and the construct of the nuclear family has changed the traditional role of extended family in welcoming a new generation. Today, many new parents rely on people outside of the family for parenting information and support. New parents are faced with a deluge of parenting information to wade through, as there are abundant experts with conflicting opinions. This can all be anxiety provoking particularly when coupled with fluctuating hormones, sleep deprivation, or issues of work-life balance.
Discerning the right decisions for your family can be anxiety provoking. Parents may become anxious that decisions in the present will lead to catastrophic consequences in the future. They may feel pressure to parent “perfectly.” They may feel distraught that they are not feeling they way they “should” feel about parenthood. All these thoughts can lead to poor mood, and decreased functioning. Parenting decisions can be difficult, but more so when paralyzed in a state of anxiety.
I work with parents to identify and adjust maladaptive thoughts and beliefs that are triggering poor mood. I will support you in your making decisions that are right for your family. After all, if there were one right way to parent, there would not be so many conflicting opinions.