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    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: Infants

    May 28, 2025

    Parents face challenges at every stage of their child’s development, and infancy (birth to 1 year of age) is no exception. Here are some of the obstacles commonly faced when children are at this age, as well as some helpful parenting tips: Exhaustion – Regularly feeding, burping, changing, bathing, and soothing an infant leaves little […]

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    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: Infants

    May 28, 2025

    Parents face challenges at every stage of their child’s development, and infancy (birth to 1 year of age) is no exception. Here are some of the obstacles commonly faced when children are at this age, as well as some helpful parenting tips:

    • Exhaustion – Regularly feeding, burping, changing, bathing, and soothing an infant leaves little room for sleep, so it’s no wonder that many new parents become fatigued. Taking turns with your partner can make a world of difference, and when they’re unavailable, don’t be afraid to ask for help from another family member or friend.
    • Loss of identity – This one tends to be especially challenging for stay-at-home parents. After having a baby, you might begin thinking of yourself just as a parent, thereby losing your identity as a spouse, friend, and coworker. Try to get out of the house with your baby during the day—you could visit a local park or join a playgroup—and hire a babysitter every once in a while so that you and your partner can have a much-needed date night.
    • Lack of confidence – If this is your first baby, you might be questioning your parenting abilities. It’s very normal to feel this way. Luckily, there are numerous steps you can take to boost your confidence—try taking a parenting class, consulting with your child’s pediatrician, or joining a parenting group. And remember not to beat yourself up for not knowing everything right away.

    Need Help Managing Your Child’s Behavior?

    If you have an infant and you’re experiencing any of the parenting challenges described above, we may be able to help. We specialize in effective parenting, and we’ll be happy to discuss the issues you’re having and supply you with customized parenting tips. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

    Filed Under: children, Parenting

    5 Ways to Cope with Anxiety as a Parent

    February 7, 2025

    The hard work and unpredictability that makes parenting so rewarding can also cause a great deal of anxiety. Here are some simple ways to bring yourself to a place of calm. Make a To-Do ListRuminating on worries can cause lots of stress. Clear your mind by making a to-do list. Put down everything that needs […]

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    5 Ways to Cope with Anxiety as a Parent

    February 7, 2025

    The hard work and unpredictability that makes parenting so rewarding can also cause a great deal of anxiety. Here are some simple ways to bring yourself to a place of calm.

    Make a To-Do List
    Ruminating on worries can cause lots of stress. Clear your mind by making a to-do list. Put down everything that needs to be done into your phone or onto a sheet of paper, and as you write them down, visualize yourself removing this task from your mind onto the list.

    Watch Your Language
    Many times parents believe things will get better when their children move on to the next phase of their maturity. However, the truth is that the worry will continue until you change your pattern of thought. To do this, watch the language you use to describe things. Don’t use phrases such as, “this will be a disaster if I don’t get it done on time” or “I’ll die of embarrassment if I forget.”

    Also change thoughts of “I have to” to “I want to”. For example, instead of saying “I have to sign the kids up for karate” say, “I want to sign the kids up for karate because I know they’ll love it.”

    Get Some Fresh Air
    There’s nothing like some fresh air and sunlight to ease anxiety. Put your baby in a stroller and go for a walk around the block, to a neighbor’s house, or a local park. Take your kids to an outdoor mall or sit on the patio of a frozen yogurt shop and share a frozen treat. You can also try your local library. Some libraries also have outdoor patio areas where you can read with your kids.

    Practice Mindfulness Exercises
    If your anxiety is difficult to control, try deep-breathing from your belly. While you do this, concentrate on five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This can help calm you when you’re feeling a panic or anxiety attack start to arise.

    Use Your Support Network
    Call your friends or family to chat or ask for advice. It may also help to vent with a Facebook parenting group or other online message board. You can also call your therapist and make an appointment and work through your challenges.

    Try these tips to control and cope with your anxiety, and enjoy the time with your children free from worry.

    If you find your anxiety to be impacting your ability to be a happy, successful parent, it might be time to speak with a professional who can help. Please contact me today for an initial consultation.

    Filed Under: Anxiety, Parenting

    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: Adults

    March 20, 2024

    Parenting challenges don’t stop just because your child has become an adult. Below are some of the most common challenges that parents face once their child reaches adulthood (ages 22+):   Differences in opinion – Even though your child is now an adult, they’ll always be your baby, and you may feel like you should […]

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    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: Adults

    March 20, 2024

    Parenting challenges don’t stop just because your child has become an adult. Below are some of the most common challenges that parents face once their child reaches adulthood (ages 22+):

     

    • Differences in opinion – Even though your child is now an adult, they’ll always be your baby, and you may feel like you should continue sharing your opinion about all aspects of their life. Unfortunately, when parents continually criticize their child’s decisions regarding jobs, partners, children, and hobbies, it can lead to tension and sometimes even estrangement. Certain issues should still be addressed—for example, abuse and addiction—but otherwise, you may want to consider keeping your opinions to yourself and supporting their choices.
    • Childcare expectations – Many children assume that once they have their own kids, their parents will take on all of the babysitting responsibilities. If you’re on board with that, great! But if you don’t want to commit to regular childcare, kindly communicate that ahead of time to avoid resentment and scheduling conflicts later on.
    • Maintaining connection – This is a challenge commonly faced by parents whose children have moved to another city or state, or even to another country. If regular trips aren’t feasible, try to look for other ways to connect with your kids and grandkids. For instance, rather than simply talking on the phone, try videochatting. And if your grandkids have a hard time focusing on the call, you can incorporate a game like Pictionary or charades.

     

    Customized Parenting Tips for Your Adult Child

     

    Effectively parenting an adult child can be difficult, to say the least, but you’re not alone. If you’d like to speak with a therapist about the challenges you’re facing and receive personalized parenting tips, contact us today. We’ll gladly schedule a therapy session at a date and time that fits into your schedule.

    Filed Under: Parenting

    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: College-Aged Children

    March 18, 2024

    Has your child entered the college years (ages 18 to 22)? Congratulations! This is an exciting time, but it can also bring a whole new set of challenges for parents. Here are a few of the issues that parents commonly face during this stage:   Long distance – If your child is going away to […]

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    Exploring Parenting Challenges by Age: College-Aged Children

    March 18, 2024

    Has your child entered the college years (ages 18 to 22)? Congratulations! This is an exciting time, but it can also bring a whole new set of challenges for parents. Here are a few of the issues that parents commonly face during this stage:

     

    • Long distance – If your child is going away to college, you might find yourself missing them and worrying about them, especially if you haven’t spent a significant amount of time apart from them in the past. Try to keep yourself busy with hobbies and friends, and before you know it, your sadness will turn into pride and excitement.
    • College freedom vs. house rules – After your child has been at school all year, you’re probably thrilled to have them return home for the summer, but you might encounter some issues when they move back in. When they were on campus, they had much more freedom than they ever did growing up, so it might be hard for them to readjust. You can still communicate your expectations as far as chores, usage of the family car, and what to do if they’re planning to be home late, but try to be flexible and remember that they’re adults.
    • Academic stress – It’s not uncommon for kids who excelled throughout grade school to become overwhelmed once they enter college. College classes tend to be more difficult than high school courses, and students are also more tempted to go to parties and hang out with friends without their parents’ supervision. Don’t feel like you need to fix every problem—after all, your child needs to learn to figure out solutions on their own—but be sure to teach them time management and self-care practices, and watch out for signs of anxiety and depression.

     

    Learn More About Effective Parenting

     

    Would you like to receive parenting tips from a professional who specializes in managing children’s behavior? Contact us today. We’ll be happy to schedule a therapy session so that we can begin to discuss the challenges that you’re facing with your college-aged children.

    Filed Under: college, Parenting

    Helping Your Teenager Grow into a Happy, Well-Rounded Adult

    March 11, 2020

    Raising kids is one of the toughest jobs on the planet. You do everything you can to make sure they stay safe and healthy. And then a study comes out that states that happy kids grow up to be more successful adults. (Great, so now they have to be happy as well!). It turns out that happiness is a […]

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    Helping Your Teenager Grow into a Happy, Well-Rounded Adult

    March 11, 2020

    Raising kids is one of the toughest jobs on the planet. You do everything you can to make sure they stay safe and healthy. And then a study comes out that states that happy kids grow up to be more successful adults. (Great, so now they have to be happy as well!).

    It turns out that happiness is a big advantage in the real world. According to the study, happy people are more likely to earn a college degree, land a good job with better pay, and get promoted more quickly than unhappy people.

    So how exactly can you help your teen transform into a happy and successful adult?

    Build Resilience

    Part of being happy comes from knowing your own resilience; knowing that when life knocks you down, you’ll get right back up. Resilience isn’t a latent talent, but a skill that can be developed.

    You can help your child build resilience by teaching them how to put things into perspective. Being able to face challenges and adapt to constant change means recognizing the significance, or insignificance, of life events. Teach your kids not to sweat the small stuff and choose their battles wisely.

    Instill Productivity

    Feelings of accomplishment naturally lead to happiness. We feel good about ourselves when we are productive individuals. You can instill productivity in your child by helping them make decisions on their own over time. The more autonomy an individual has, the more able they are to get things done.

    It’s also important that you help your teen discover their interests, talents and abilities. People that known their passions and what makes them tick have a knack for reaching goals.

    Encourage Independence

    It may seem counterintuitive, but teenagers cannot gain independence on their own. They simply don’t have the perspective or experience necessary to separate from you. Independence is actually a gift you give to your children. You can help your teen become more independent by:

    • Teaching responsibility – Help your kid have a clear understanding of what is expected of them at home and at school as well as the consequences for not fulfilling those expectations.
    • Demand Accountability – Make sure you stick to your guns and see those consequences through to the end. If you don’t hold your child accountable for their own behavior and actions, how will they be able to hold themselves accountable as adults?
    • Practice letting go – It’s important not to send mixed signals to your teen during this time. As you help them become more independent, practice letting them go. Be open to stepping back as they step forward.

    You and your teenager are embarking on an exciting journey; one with many ups and downs. The best thing you can do is to let your kid know you are there for them and that they can talk to you about anything. Good communication is crucial during this time.

    If you could use some help talking with your teenager, consider family therapy. A therapist can facilitate effective communication and offer tools that will help your teen become the adult they are meant to be.

    If you’d like to explore therapy, please be in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how I might be able to help you.

    Filed Under: Parenting



    26711 Woodward Ave. Suite 306
    Huntington Woods, MI 48070

    (248) 860-2024
    info@marshpsychologygroup.com

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    Marsh Psychology Group
    info@marshpsychologygroup.com
    (248) 860-2024

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