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Parenting

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There are a lot of forces working against us as parents today. There is peer influence, poor examples of family life in the homes of our kids’ friends, movies, television, video games, social media, the internet, advertising, and the instant gratification that comes from the ability to communicate with anyone at any time via texting. The decline in the moral fiber of our society further encourages our kids to be self-centered, self-indulgent, and focused on what they can get or take from others, rather than what they can offer or give to others.
 
The truth is - BEING A PARENT IS HARD WORK. And being a good parent is A LOT of hard work. Effective parenting requires placing the needs of others before your own, unwavering commitment, perseverance, and teamwork—which, often times, is NOT a given between the parents. Our parenting efforts often go unacknowledged and unappreciated, and much of the time, can feel like an absolutely thankless job.
 
You know your child best. But resistance and animosity from your child can cloud your objectivity, and limit your ability to sort out the appropriate course of action as a parent. Perspective and guidance from an experienced counselor can go a long way toward improving those skills we all thought would come naturally when we were blessed with a child in our lives.

Counseling Insights and Articles About Parenting:

Child Development and Supporting Children in Today’s Churches, by Dave Papandrea
The Invaluable Influence of Parents, by Wendy Warner
Will You Be Using Anyone’s Name Today?
, by Sherrie Darnell
Loving Your Teenage Girl Well, by Deb Toering
Encourage A Child Today, by Wendy Warner
Humble Listening = Productive Communication, by Wendy Warner
Acceptance Versus Comparison, by Wendy Warner
Can A Pandemic Bring About Positive Change?, by Wendy Warner
Parents: What Are You Sowing And Reaping?, by Wendy Warner
Are You Clothed In Kindness?, by Wendy Warner
Conflict Is So Hard At Times!, by Wendy Warner
Understanding Your Teen's Love Language, by Wendy Warner
Embracing Your Teen’s Journey to Independence, by Wendy Warner
Emotional Awareness is Key – Even for Children, by Tonya Ratliff
Please Listen to Me, Don’t Dismiss Me, by Wendy Warner
Note to Parents: Just Be There, by Tonya Ratliff
Play… It’s Good for the Soul, by Wendy Warner
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Find Out What It Means to Parenting, by Wendy Warner
What Every Child Needs a Little More Of…, by Wendy Warner
Stop the Bully: How to Empower Your Child, by Deb Toering
Stop The Bully: How To Empower Your Child [VIDEO], by Deb Toering
Letting Go, by Deb Toering
The Importance of Positive Moments for a Child, by Wendy Warner
Surviving in a House of Chaos: Take Back Control With Effective Parenting, by Tonya Ratliff
Surviving in a House of Chaos: Implementing Structure, by Tonya Ratliff
Surviving in a House of Chaos: Maintaining Consistency, by Tonya Ratliff
Surviving in a House of Chaos: Managing Expectations, by Tonya Ratliff
Surviving in a House of Chaos: Take Back Control [VIDEO], by Tonya Ratliff

Note To Parents: Just Be There

8/28/2016

 
​by Tonya Ratliff, LPC, ACS
A professional counselor at Trinity Family Counseling can help you get past feeling too busy and too distracted and show you how to be present for your child.
Tonya Ratliff is the Owner and Director of Counseling Services for Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to her individual, couple, and family clients, Tonya is also the lead facilitator of the Walk With Me® Grief Support Group, an aftercare program sponsored by Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home in Utica, MI.
So often, parents arrive in my office complaining of a lack of direction, and of feeling disrespected by their children.

Overwhelmed with schedules and logistics, many of these parents are experiencing a far deeper loss. A loss born of not really 
knowing their kids… Not knowing what they love? What they dream? What makes them tick?  They’ve lost the connection that can only exist from spending time with and engaging in their children’s lives. They’re missing the experience of each of their children as unique and dynamic individuals.

With time, these parents often admit to being too busy, too distracted, or too overworked. To ease their own guilt, they have convinced themselves that dropping their kids off at their practice, game, or lesson is encouraging their independence. I would argue that the real message these kids receive is that mom or dad simply aren’t interested--or don’t care—about what they are doing or involved in.

Kids will protest your presence (because it’s definitely NOT COOL to be excited that mom is sitting in the bleachers!), but don’t for a minute convince yourself that they don’t need or want you there! Far from being “on the sidelines,” you will actually have a “front row seat” to your child’s engagement with their world. There is rich and powerful information to glean from witnessing your child’s beaming pride of accomplishment—or their agony in defeat.

But - only if you’re there.

So, slow down, re-prioritize, and choose to just be there.

A professional counselor at Trinity Family Counseling can help you get past feeling too busy and too distracted and show you how to be present for your child.


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  • Home
  • Areas of Specialization
    • The Counseling Process
    • Christian Counseling
    • Anxiety and Depression
    • Self-Care
    • Relationships and Marriage
    • Grief and Loss
    • Family Counseling
    • Divorce
    • Remarriage and Blended Families
    • Parenting Counseling
    • Children and Adolescents Counseling
    • ADHD Counseling
    • Counseling for First Responders
    • Grief Group - Free to the Community
  • Our Counselors
    • Tonya Ratliff
    • Deb Toering
    • Wendy Warner
    • Liza Hinchey
    • Dave Papandrea
    • Sherrie Darnell
    • Shelley Kruszewski
    • Brian Perry
  • Fees for Services
  • LLC Supervision