Why reaching out for parent support could be a game changer

Pressures on parents are perhaps more intense, certainly more obvious, than at any other time in history.  In addition to these pressures, support from close family – as well as the extended family - is often (for a whole host of reasons), in very short supply. 

Anyone who has been a parent – with, or without, prior experience of babies or little people - remember that first night, when they are suddenly on their own with a newborn, and realisation dawns that they are now the ones “in charge”. 

New parents, for the most part, have some support for the first couple of weeks. If they are lucky, maybe for the first month, and then it drops off – for many, often never to really return.

In no other aspect of life is there as little “training” for people as there is before starting a family. There is a lot of planning for the birth, a lot of support in pregnancy, but once the baby has arrived and is “signed off”, that’s it – responsibility is handed over to parents – and there is no manual!

Of course, nature is a wonderful provider and people quickly adapt – the fierce love and protection that parents feel for a small child, spurs them on!  It can be a desperately tough time for parents however – loneliness and isolation both regularly feature top of the list of feelings parents experience in those first few months.

Community no longer plays the pivotal role it used to, in supporting new parents.

The idea of “It takes a village to raise a child” is as true today as ever, and yet the village isn’t there for many people. 

This is where reaching out for support is vital for parents. They need to find their own tribe – people who understand what they are going through, and may even be going through the same thing themselves.  There is nothing weak about saying we can’t do it all ourselves. If society was kinder, and we were kinder to ourselves, asking for help would be seen as the obvious, intelligent thing to do.

Finding one’s own tribe definitely helps with the feeling of “belonging”. However, finding support from someone who has been through it before, who can offer understanding and knowledge of child development as well as a structure and scaffolding to allow us to parent more naturally and more joyfully can be the difference between just “getting through” our parenting journey, or embracing the wonderful roller coaster that is now our life.

This is the ultimate goal of The Parent Collaborative. There is SO much advice and information out there – it can feel overwhelming – our aim isn’t to bombard you with yet more – it is to work with, and alongside, you. Our promise to you is that there is no judgement, no prescription that must be followed. You will be listened to, you will be heard, and we will work together to find the path through, that fits the way you want to parent. 

You are the parents your child needs. We know this, and we know that you’ve got this!  Deciding to add parenting support into the mix of a support network, can help a family to thrive, to become the “team” they want to be. 

So – whether you’re just starting out and want support from the off, you’re looking for support for one particular aspect of your parenting journey, or you want to feel empowered by knowledge and understanding, get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!