Have you read the latest bestseller, “How to be the Perfect Caregiver and Know all the Answers to Your Child’s Problems: 2022 Edition?” Oh, that’s right! You probably have not read it because it does not exist! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it did?
The reality is that no parent or caregiver has all the answers to their child’s challenges, worries, or questions. However, we often expect that of ourselves and, when we do not meet that expectation, we blame ourselves, which leads to our own feelings of inadequacy, frustration, worry, and guilt. As a parent who happens to also be a mental health professional, I know the cycle very well. Yet, I am no closer to “having all the answers” than anyone else. Every single day, I learn something new about parenting, my child, and myself. I have come to realize that this is part of the experience, and the joy, of being a caregiver.
This does not mean that I am not constantly looking for new ideas to add to my toolkit. I realize that in an ever-changing world, whether due to circumstances related to the global pandemic, social media, politics, or generational differences, it is important to gain a better understanding of the “whys” of my child’s behavior, so that I can address the “hows” of helping him to overcome his challenges. By adding to my toolkit, I empower myself, which enables me to support my son in the way that he needs me.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people, with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.1 The pandemic has intensified the suicide crisis in America and, across the country, there have been dramatic increases in Emergency Department visits for all mental health emergencies including suspected suicide attempts. We are caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality that will have lasting impact on them, their families, and their communities.2 We have a generation of youth who need the support of their caregivers now more than ever.
I have been fortunate to work to support children and families for almost half of my life. Throughout that time, I have helped to increase others’ level of understanding about some of the most common challenges our children face. I have also had the pleasure to partner with stakeholders to implement strategies that help improve children’s attention, organization, task completion, emotional regulation, and behavior. If there is one thing I have learned, it is to never stop learning! Every interaction that we have with our children and with others, is designed to teach us something about them and/or ourselves.
In the spirit of continuing education, I invite you to join our virtual spring sessions to aid you in your psychoeducational journey of supporting your child’s mental health and wellness:
Seriously Scatterbrained: Strategies to Improve Your Child’s Organization & Attention
Saturday, April 9, 2022 10:30am-12:00pm
Yes, You Can! Understanding and Changing Problem Behavior
Saturday, April 23, 2022 10:30am-12:00pm
Hurting and Afraid: Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster
Saturday, May 14, 2022 10:30am-12:00pm
The goal is for you to leave the session with at least one tool that can help you in order to better help your child. I look forward to learning from you and seeing you online! For more information about our virtual parent workshops, please visit our website: https://www.waypointwellnesscenter.com/services/virtual-parent-workshops/
Sources:
1Aap.org. 2022. AAP-AACAP-CHA Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/child-and-adolescent-healthy-mental-development/aap-aacap-cha-declaration-of-a-national-emergency-in-child-and-adolescent-mental-health/> [Accessed 19 March 2022].
2HHS.gov. 2022. U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis Further Exposed by COVID-19 Pandemic. [online] Available at: <https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/12/07/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-on-youth-mental-health-crisis-further-exposed-by-covid-19-pandemic.html> [Accessed 19 March 2022].
