Being a parent is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world but it takes time and patience to build your relationship with your child, here are our tips to help.
Looking after yourself
When we’re busy raising children we often put ourselves last. But it is easier to look after them if we look after ourselves too. Here are somethings you can do to help yourself:
- Talk to your partner, friends, or family. It helps to talk about how you’re feeling. Speaking to other adults can help give you perspective and they might have advice to offer as well.
- Make time just for you each week. It’s important to take some time for you. It could be a bath, a movie you want to watch, or having a cup of tea with a pal.
- Try to get enough sleep. This might feel impossible at times, but even going to bed a little earlier could make a difference.
- Stay active. You don’t need to join a gym, a walk helps to keep your body and mind active and reduce your stress.
Remember that you’re not alone – all of us struggle from time to time. Talk to someone you trust, like a partner, friend, family member, health visitor or your GP. If you don’t want to talk to someone you know, you can also chat to Parentline or further support is available in our Family Support Directory.
What if I don’t get it right?
Staying calm when you’re wound up takes practice, so don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t always get it right. All parents lose their temper sometimes, but you can set a positive example to your child by saying sorry if you do.
We know that being a parent is a tough job, and we’re all trying to do our best.
There is also a law in Scotland which means that from 7 November 2020 it will be illegal to use any form of physical punishment on your child. You can find more information on this law here.
Free Solihull Approach Online courses for parents and carers
We know you’ve probably got a lot on your plate at the moment, but you might be interested in looking at these free online parenting courses for parents and carers. The Solihull Approach Online courses cover a range of topics and ages from pregnancy to 19+ years. These courses are for everyone, for everyday parenting. They don’t tell you how to parent, that’s up to you. Instead they offer a way to understand what might be going on and space to think about how you want to respond.
You can find out more at www.inourplace.co.uk and access the courses for free using the code TARTAN.