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“It's not
only children who grow. Parents do too.
As much as we watch to see what our
children do with their lives, they are
watching us to see what we do with ours.
I can't tell my children to reach for
the sun. All I can do is reach for it,
myself.” ~Joyce Maynard
Parenting
has often been referred to as the most
challenging job a person can have.
Sometimes, the word challenging becomes
an understatement. Sadly, however, many
of us attempt to hold on to the illusion
that parenting should come “naturally”.
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Parents often compare themselves
to their seemingly “perfect” friends and neighbors who
appear to do it all. After all, no one else’s child refuses
to go to bed on time, wears slippers to school, dyes their
hair green, gets suspended, comes home drunk, or speaks to
them in a tone too embarrassing to even mention, right? |
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Wrong,
chances are, if you are going through
it, someone else is too. All good
parents struggle from time to time.
Great parents, however, can recognize
their limitations and turn their
struggle into growth. As therapists, we
frequently encounter mothers and fathers
who are searching for ways to
communicate and discipline that differ
from their own authoritative upbringing.
Alternative ways to communicate and
discipline can be difficult to find
without the proper support.
Feelings
of frustration and guilt are common
among parents and come with the
territory. Pervasive feelings of
frustration and guilt need attention
because they can impact the parent/child
relationship in a negative way or worse,
interfere with a good parents potential
to become a great parent. As stated in
the above quote, parents can grow too.
At Great
South Bay Therapy Associates, we are
dedicated to helping parents find the
methods that work best for them and
promote healthy interaction and room for
individuality and growth. We have found
that one of the best ways to foster
parent growth is through a series of
support groups and workshops.
Please
call us at 631 472-2629 to find out more
details on our parenting series.
Please e-mail us at
jenniferflanaganlcsw@verizon.net or
kimberlyhessionlcsw@verizon.net with
comments, questions, or to suggest
future topics.
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About
the Author
Jennifer Flanagan, LCSW & Kimberly
Hession, LCSW of Great South Bay Therapy Associates are
Licensed Clinical Social Workers who specialize
confidential, goal oriented counseling services for
individuals, couples, and families. For additional
information please call us at 631 472-2629 or visit us at
www.gsbtherapy.org. |
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