Where Can Young Parents Get Good Advice?

BP & GK Podcast Cover

Where Can Young Parents Get Good Advice?
by Susie Caron 1/9/16

Today’s families frequently move away from childhood homes. That leaves new parents without the help, support and wisdom that comes from extended family members. In days gone by, families were not so mobile and commonly elder members helped out with new babies, childcare and advice. Because this is no longer the case, young parents  often fell isolated and  lack ready resources for help when they add children to their home.

Long Distance Calls are not enough.
Isolation is cause for concern because things are changing so rapidly, that parents often feel confused about “best child raising practices”. Long distance calls back home to family & friends are not enough to fill this need. In order to ‘save face’ or to not worry their elder parents, young Moms and Dads may ‘pretend’ that they have everything under control. But they continue to crave advice and assistance.

Where do they turn for information?
Some young parents get assistance when they join  other parent's groups to share child care and swap tips and ideas. However, life is so busy now and usually both parents work outside the home, so there remains little time left for this. As a result, they search ‘expert advice’ from professionals, in books, the internet and other sources. This adds to the confusion because sources vary widely and offer conflicting advice, which serves to perplex parents even more.

How can You choose the best parenting advice for your children?
While numerous resources can be helpful, it's important to sort truths from opinions. Where ‘experts’ all agree on something, it’s very likely a recognized ‘truth’. Where they disagree greatly, those are opinions.  But, how do you know what advice to choose?
 
If you are a new parent or parent children of any age, your job is to grab the truths, and weed out the opinions. Opinions can be helpful in certain situations with individual children. So keep them  available, on a back burner, to use when and if needed. Then trust yourself because you instinctively know what's best for your children. No matter what, you'll always do better to trust your instincts because  no one really knows and understands your children as well as you do. 

You get to decide what to do for each child and every situation.
When you to trust yourself and listen to your heart, you can adjust your discipline measures and parenting expectations to fit each child’s personality, situation and developmental ability. That’s how you can raise good kids and enjoy them more while you raise them. 

Would you like to hear me talk about this and other parenting topics?
As a specialist in parent-child relationships I know how isolating parenting can be. I also know that you do your best when you believe in yourself.  So, I’ve developed a free series of short, 6-8 minute episodes in a podcast called Building Parents & Good Kids. It’s full of encouragement and tips to grow your confidence and add skills so you can raise good kids with less stress and more fun.  

Would you like to to subscribe, so you can listen to each free, 6-8 minute podcasts?
You can easily get them HERE on iTunes.
Bonus: if you fill out the Sign Up form on my Home Page, I’ll also send you a link every time a new episode comes out.
Don’t wait. The first 3 episodes are ready and waiting.

Twee’ Means You and Me
Building Parents and Good Kids
Susie Caron

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