Parenting & Step-Parenting

It is the best of times, and the worst of times...

How I work with parents and step-parents

Becoming a parent/step-parent is a time of excitement and fear.  Babies don't come with manuals, and by the time they are teens they know all about our strengths and challenges.  As a parent/step-parent we have many beliefs and values that arise from our own family of origin.  Rules that we didn't even know that we had until we hear our own mother or father in our voice.  The same is true for step-families - for many reasons they can never be a nuclear family but they can bring benefits to everyone in the long run.

First, I would honour all your attempts and intentions of being a good parent then help you figure out your priorities and which battles to fight and how not to fight the ones that don't matter.  When you are fully aware of your beliefs, values and capacities you can be more effective as a self-aware parent.  I would help you learn how to be an emotional coach for your younger children and how to help your teens become effective problem solvers instead of solving their problems for them.  I would encourage you to seek ways to celebrate yourself and your children during and despite the struggles.

About Parenting & Step-Parenting

Parenting and step-parenting are two of the most diffiuclt and most rewarding roles to be created.  Children do not come with manuals.  Each is parent is unique with different strengths, needs and abilities.