Every parent knows that raising children can be challenging as well as rewarding. New studies show that more than half (56%) of working parents with children under the age of 18 find that having to balance the responsibilities of their job and the responsibilities of raising children difficult. This difficulty can often lead parents to feelings of bitterness regarding raising their children. This bitterness can be difficult to admit, especially if parents feel as if other parents are having an enjoyable experience raising children.
There are many reasons why parents describe raising their children as difficult. One important reason is if the children they are raising are challenging and may have diagnoses that present with symptoms that are stressful. Having children with diagnoses such as Autistic Disorder, ADHD, Mood Disorders and Learning Disorders can make parenting very unpleasant at times. To add to parent’s frustrations, the community often does not recognize how much harder it is to parent these children than it is for parents whose children do not have special needs. The challenges for parents are often minimized and sometimes not even recognized as actual difficulties. For example, a parent of a child with ADHD may have to be subjected to the opinion that ADHD is ‘over diagnosed’ and it isn’t a ‘real’ problem. This denial and minimization can add to the bitterness and resentment that parents already feel.
The important thing to remember is that parenting can be challenging and parents are not alone in feeling that. The community at large including other parents, teachers, etc. can help parents with challenging children by validating their feelings and offering empathy. For parents who feel extremely frustrated on a daily basis, psychotherapy or counseling may help them feel less overwhelmed and isolated. Asking for help when needed is an important part of making parenting with challenging children more manageable.
November 23, 2015