ARE YOU STRUGGLING AS A PARENT?
- Are you struggling with tantrums?
- Do you feel you are constantly trying to prevent explosions, leaving you feeling exhausted and worn out by the end of the day?
- Do you long for a sense of peace in your home?
- Are you confused on how to foster sibling connection and reduce the battles?
- Do you keep thinking things will change each year your child gets older, but that corner never quite gets turned?
Sometimes parents feel everyone else has an easier child, or they believe they should be able to figure this parenting thing out. Then comes a sense of guilt for not being the parent you envisioned, or resentment fueled by your child’s behavior. Most of us parents are working hard, reading parenting books, and trying to implement what we learn or hear from others, but still feel stuck. You may struggle with creating appropriate boundaries for your child, or balancing discipline with emotional support. The goal of raising respectful children who feel valued and emotionally secure can feel overwhelmingly difficult!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Most parents find the preschool years particularly challenging and sometimes this confusion continues into the early elementary years. One thing is for certain (outside of death and taxes) is parents feel stuck at one point or another! Many of us want to be different in one way or another than our parents, but find ourselves behaving in all the ways we swore off. Sometimes this brings newfound appreciation for our parents and the difficult job all parents face. However, we can still feel confused on how to be different. Parenting is a skills based job that many of us are furiously trying to learn as we go.
Parenting Young Children
Starting in toddlerhood and continuing into the preschool years, kids are trying to understand their place in the “family universe”. They are social scientists continually taking in data on how one behavior or another impacts those around them. They are also developing a sense of self agency and wanting to check their environment for predictability and consistency. During this time, parents experience their child getting mad over big and little concerns, having difficulty recovering, pushing boundaries or rules, getting upset over existing rules that were previously not a problem, and/or trying to dictate how the family should function. No wonder this is such an exhausting time!
However, these years are also full of wonder and joy. Curiosity, imagination, verbal growth soar in these years. Harnessing this beautiful time without being overwhelmed is the goal of most parents. This is where I can help.
Effective Parenting
Kids want to grow, learn and feel a sense of accomplishment. They are designed to learn, especially about themselves in relation to those around them. They want to feel seen, loved and valued. They want to understand their place in the world in a way that feels joyful and fun. Many times we can focus on what not to do, what to correct and not balance the equation by highlighting appropriate choices or how to manage those big emotions. Depending on the age, the right parenting approach can be a mix of reflecting, introducing choices, making relational connections, consistent presence and, for the young ones, repetition, repetition, repetition.
I can help you understand developmentally appropriate expectations, build and expand your parenting tool box, and help address any reactive feelings that arise for you as a parent.
You May Have More Questions
How does this work–how many sessions will I need?
This is best determined on the unique needs of your family. Parenting support can be ongoing or three to four sessions to address particular issues. Once a comfortable foundation is created for the family, some parents want to explore more relational dynamics as a couple or between parent and child. While other parents come for “check ins” as needed. Please call and we can discuss your situation and decide the best strategy to meet your needs.
Do You Meet With The Child
My work is with you, the parents. I work with you to help you create the family environment that is congruent with your hopes, values and ideals you had when you first learned you were pregnant. It is my goal to enhance your knowledge and parenting toolbox, so that your child reaps the benefits and thrives.
“Rachel has been an amazing asset to my patients at Mindful Pediatrics. She seems to be able to really understand and connect with many different types of parents and styles of parenting. Aside from really personally resonating with the education and advice that she gives (we used her for our youngest child Mia) I feel that she really gets through to parents at a time that is often very stressful. She supports and walks them through the steps necessary for a high level of success. Mindful Pediatrics patients seem to love Rachel and her advice. I recommend her at all my sleep deprived parents with great confidence.”
-Roy Steinbock MD FAAP
Board Certified and Holistic Pediatrician
“We both are extremely and eternally grateful for your assistance with our kids. We were both feeling pretty pessimistic about the state of our family by the end of this past summer, and we recently passed through a 4-day vacation which the four of us spent in each other’s presence and which, I have to say, was a real joy. Not without plenty of hiccups, of course. We are very thankful for the many different ways you gave us of approaching those everyday speed bumps, and it definitely shows in the deepening relationships you can feel developing in our family.”
-J & D
