Parenting

Being a parent can be difficult. Just as no one’s experience is the same, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Everyone faces different challenges. It can particularly take a toll on your relationship, as the dynamics and responsibilities completely change, and it can feel like there is less time or effort put into you and your partner alone. There can also be disagreements in the major decisions that impact on your child’s life or the way that the responsibilities are shared. Our practitioners can help you identify, cope with and overcome these parenting challenges, so that you can regain your positive and loving relationship whilst coping with the challenges of raising a child.

We can’t promise all the answers, but we can help you carve a pathway to happy parenting.

Although it is normal to have these disagreements and changes within the relationship, if it has become so ongoing and painful that it is affecting the way you and your partner feel about each other or the way your child is being cared for – it is important to seek help.

At VCPS, we can work with you in one-to-one sessions or in a group setting. Some people may prefer the group setting, as it’s a way of realising you’re not alone. Everyone has a child who won’t sleep, or a teenager who seems to have changed overnight. Everyone argues at times with their loved ones and everyone can relate to feeling like you have no more intimacy in your relationship. It can be beneficial to hear the experience and strategies used by others. However, if you prefer to deal with this on a more personal level than couples counselling can be particularly effective for working through any issues in a calm and supportive environment.

Some of the ways a practitioner could support you either individually or as a couple includes:

  • Teaching effective communication strategies and providing a place to openly discuss any issues
  • Helping each person understand the other’s needs
  • Practising conflict resolution and anger management strategies
  • Providing information on what’s best for the child at their point of development
  • Help to identify and increase the positive factors about your relationship outside of being a parent