Parent and Carers Survival Guide

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Looking after yourself and your family

 

Being a parent or carer can be hard work at times and if your child is experiencing mental health problems or behaving in a challenging way, it can be even harder. It’s easy to feel it’s somehow all your fault or that you can fix it by doing or saying the right things, but often all you can do is be there for your child and support them through the tough times. It’s important to look after yourself as well and seek advice from your GP if you’re struggling. We’ve also listed some ways of connecting with other parents who might be going through similar issues.

Let us guide you to some of the very best websites and contacts for families. There are more resources in each of the topic sections.

Looking after yourself and your relationships

 

Videos

  • Parentchannel TV has many fantastic videos for all ages covering common parenting issues and advice for looking after yourself, and your partner, bonding with your baby, communicating with your child, keeping your temper and so much more!  Each section has multiple videos so click down on the left side to see them all.

Connecting with other parents and parenting classes

 

 

Support for brothers and sisters

 

When someone is struggling with ill health of any kind, the needs of other family members are easily forgotten or sidelined and while that may be unavoidable, there is support available. Brothers and sisters may respond by seeking attention themselves, perhaps with difficult behaviour, but often they will seek to make life easier for you and may avoid burdening you with their own problems.

Top Tip: ‘When you can, set aside just a few minutes for other members of your family every day, to give them your undivided attention, making it clear that this is their protected time. It really made a huge difference in our family ‘ (Tom, Dad)