Perinatal Counselling.
An article by Sydney Psychologist, Leanne Carter.
Parenting can bring out the best and worst in you.
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. People will try to tell you how tough it is before you have children, but you won’t believe them! These life lessons can only be learnt on the job. I tell people that parenting brings out the best and worst in you. You can experience an intensity of emotions you have never imagined. That goes for both good and bad emotions.
No emotions are good or bad, they just are.
Let me inject here, firstly no emotions are good or bad, they just are. Often, we categorise our feelings into good or bad, right or wrong, but this is unhelpful and incorrect. All emotions are valid, relevant and part of human existence. Sometimes they are pleasant and enjoyable and other times they are horrible and unbearable.
The good news is that our emotions are changeable and no one feeling can or will last forever.
Parents put so much pressure and expectations on themselves.
Okay back to parenting. As soon as we bring a baby into this world we are doomed to fail. Yet as we survive the first year, we put so much pressure and expectation on ourselves to get this right, be a perfect parent and raise a perfect child. This is an unattainable goal. We will fail, make mistakes, cry, and fall apart at times, yet hold ourselves accountable for such behaviours. Yes, parenting is the hardest job, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no holiday or sick pay, so it MUST be expected that at times we won’t know what we are doing.
Raising health and well-rounded children.
Research shows that we only need to be “good enough” parents 30% of the time, to raise healthy and well-rounded children. Not perfect, infallible role models, but human beings with emotions, who make mistakes but can be responsible for our actions. So, take the pressure of yourself as a parent, live in the moment, stop and take it all in. At times this will be fun and other times not so fun, it’s a wild adventure with many twists and turns.
More information
For more information about counselling for parents, contact psychologist Leanne Cater directly.
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Suite 9, 2A Redman Road
Dee Why NSW 2099
Northern Beaches Sydney
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About Balanced Psychology and Counselling Northern Beaches
At Balanced Psychology, we believe that you and your concerns are unique and therefore tailor our assessments and interventions to suit your individual specific needs. Leanne Cater, is a fully registered Northern Beaches psychologist and has been registered with the Psychology Board of Australia since 2006. She is also a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (APPi), a governing body that is committed to maintaining the standard and reputation of the psychology discipline and profession in Australia. Over her career, Leanne has worked in numerous settings including hospitals, community mental health centres and within the correctional system.
Medicare rebates and Telehealth appointments are available.