We know the absolute truth behind the adage that parenting is the most difficult job in the world. However, caring for a child who is struggling with emotional distress or poor mental health adds a multitude of challenges, difficulties, and demands.
We also know that one of the most important keys to successfully maintaining a child’s emotional wellbeing is having a good support network around them. That’s not to say, however, that parents and carers must always get things right, as we know that such perfection simply does not exist. Instead, good enough is a more than ample benchmark and we can begin by taking care of ourselves.
As primary figures from whom a child models their behaviour, it is important to demonstrate self-compassion and, most importantly, the ability to self-care. Further still, good self-care is about more than positive demonstration, as it is essential that you remain robust in your own mental wellbeing for the days and weeks to come.
Self-care can include anything from taking five minutes to have a cup of coffee or reading a few pages from your favourite book to gaming with friends or going for a quiet walk. However, it also includes reaching out to others and having a safe shoulder to lean on.
It is no secret that parenting can at times be lonely and isolating and so the ability to connect with others of similar experience in a safe and secure way can prove transformative in emotional benefit. One of the first things we recommend to any parent or carer of a child referred to Insight Youth is to review the support in place for themselves.
Parent Space is a local organisation specialising in just this. They support parents through difficult times by a range of means including peer to peer networks, mentoring, and specialist courses on subjects such as handling anger in the family and parenting children with complex needs.
The positive benefit of well supported parents cannot be underestimated, and its impact on our work with a child is often truly profound.
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