Parenting Is Hard!

We can quickly become tired and disillusioned. Exhaustion (usually followed by extreme guilt) sets in. What seemed so easy, so obvious BEFORE we became parents now seems difficult and far away. From the sleeplessness of the early days, to the constant worry during teenage years, we need help!

But where can we get it?

Here is a short list of the first few places to go when we need help most

• A baby health centre – These community centres can be a life-saver in the first days of being a parent.
• Your family doctor – Don’t just wonder “is this normal in my child?”….ASK!
• Older friends – Do you have friends or family whose children are a little older than yours? Ask them about the stage you are going through.
• Other mums – Playgroups and mothers groups are a great place to meet other parents who will probably be struggling with just the same things that worry you. Find strength in numbers!
• There are lots of great books on the market…but there are some very unhelpful books as well. Think very carefully about what you read. Will it fit in with your family, your plans, your understanding of what parenting is?
• Websites – The internet can be a fantastic tool for finding information fast. There are millions of parenting sites throughout the world. Some are good, some are terrible. Again, read carefully and think deeply about what you read. One website we are happy to recommend is www.biblicalparenting.info, but there are many more. Ask around, google some key words.
• God is the great Father who loves us. God invented parents. If you want to find out more about God, call us at Mary Andrews College on 1300 590 531, and we will put you in touch with a caring church in your area.