Tanya J. Peterson, NCC, DAIS
September 24, 2020
Mental Health Advice & Resources for Parents
Parenting can be challenging. Children do not come with instructions on how to provide the best possible care. If you recognize some parenting practice that you would like to change or more fully develop, there is help to best suit your situation, such as working with a therapist who specializes in family therapy or meeting with a parent coach. Below you’ll find articles and resources to help you understand and deal with a variety of parental situations.
Featured Parenting Articles
Parenting Styles
Ashley Stuck, LCSW
The 4 Types of Parenting Styles & Their Effects on Children
The four primary parenting styles in child psychology include authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Each parenting style has its own unique characteristics, methods, and philosophy. Child development is affected by these parenting styles in various ways depending on parental child-rearing practices.
July 5, 2023
Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Authoritative Parenting: Definition, Characteristics, & Examples
Authoritative parenting styles combine parental support, warmth, and responsiveness with firm limit-setting and boundaries. Parents remain open-minded when explaining rules to their children by leaving room for mutual discussion. This parenting method encourages positive child development, contributing to better self-esteem, academic performance, and mental health.
July 7, 2023
Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Authoritarian Parenting: Definition, Characteristics, & Effectiveness
Authoritarian parents will set rules, and have high expectations of their child, and will tend to lack warmth and comfort toward the child.
July 3, 2023
Common Types of Parenting
Maggie Holland, MA, MHP, LMHC
Snowplow Parenting: What It Is, Impacts, & How to Avoid It
Snowplow parenting is when a parent actively removes any and all obstacles from their children’s path before their child ever reaches an obstacle. While the parent thinks they’re helping their child by removing pain and discomfort, it takes away their child’s opportunity to gain invaluable coping and problem-solving skills.
May 20, 2022
Nicole Arzt, LMFT
Attachment Parenting: Definition, Principles, & Benefits
Attachment parenting focuses on building the bond between an infant and their caregiver by emphasizing parental attunement, empathy, responsiveness, and physical interaction. This approach stems from attachment theory, and advocates believe these methods increase a child’s sense of resilience and self-esteem.
December 8, 2022
Kaytlyn Gillis, LCSW-BACS
Lawnmower Parents: What They Are & Signs You May Be One
Lawnmower parents make every effort to pave the way for their children, making sure it is as clear and smooth as possible. They may go as far as completing their child’s homework for them or handling any conflict their child may encounter. While they may have the best intentions in mind, lawnmower parenting can hinder their child’s development, particularly within areas of decision making.
February 13, 2023
Parenting While Divorced
Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Co-Parenting Counseling: How It Helps, Examples, & Cost
Co-parenting counseling helps families who are going through a separation or divorce. The goals are to improve communication and conflict resolution skills and develop a co-parenting plan for the future that is in the best interest of the child or children. A family court judge may mandate families to attend this kind of counseling, or they can go on their own accord.
August 23, 2023
Brooke Schwartz, LCSW
The Effects of Divorce on Children & How to Help them Cope
Divorce may have many effects on children, including social withdrawal, attachment issues, and behavioral problems. Children of divorce are also at increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, interpersonal relationship difficulties, and unwanted health outcomes in adulthood. However, there are several ways parents can better respond to help mediate the impact of divorce, and support their children throughout the process.
September 26, 2022
Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, LCPC, LPC, LMHC, NCC
Parallel Parenting: Definition, Benefits, & Tips for Success
Parallel parenting allows separated couples to parent independently from one another. This co-parenting model encourages limited communication except for necessary aspects of parenting, such as coordinating visitation days, attendance of school events, or important appointments. Implementing these techniques can lead to improvements in high-conflict situations or family dynamics.
October 27, 2022
Specific to Moms
Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Mom Guilt: Causes & 13 Tips for Overcoming
Mom guilt is that voice in your head, telling you that you’re not a good mom, leaving you with a guilty feeling. Dealing with mom guilt can take effort and creativity, but living in guilt isn’t the best for yourself or your children.
April 20, 2022
Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
How to Deal With Mom Rage – Practical Tips From a Therapist
Coping with mom rage starts with recognizing your frustrations and making the effort to take a deep breath, walk away, and de-escalate the situation.
June 1, 2023
Leah Rockwell, LPC, LCPC
Mom Burnout: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Recover
Mom burnout is caused by chronic stress and exhaustion related to relentless caregiving demands. This epidemic is exceedingly high in women who have full-time careers or are without a co-parent.
September 21, 2023
Helpful Resources for Parents
Melissa Boudin, PsyD
The 21 Best Parenting Books: Resources for Raising Happy, Healthy Kids
Whether your navigating co-parenting, or trying to improve your communication skills with your child, here are 21 great books for parents.
January 11, 2022
Melissa Boudin, PsyD
19 Best Books on Parenting Teenagers
Parenting teens can be difficult, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’ve gathered our favorite books full of tips and guidance for how to parent teenagers.
June 22, 2023
Kristen Souza, LMHC
21 Best Parenting Podcasts
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best podcasts available for parents, that are sure to be insightful no matter what you’re facing.
June 14, 2023
More Articles About Parenting
Melissa Boudin, PsyD
12 Best Dad Blogs: Fatherhood Blogs by Dad Bloggers
Gone are the days of rigid gender roles and predefined, stereotypical duties within the home. Welcome instead to a heart-warming world of parental wisdom, candid advice, and comedic anecdotes – dad blogs! Today we are diving into the complicated realm of fatherhood, getting insight from dedicated dad bloggers who are embracing parenthood with enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to connect with other dads.
September 22, 2023
Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Best Books About Postpartum Depression
While giving birth can be filled with joy, there is also a reality of adjusting to the emotional, physical, and, some might argue, spiritual changes that occur postpartum. These changes can be devastating when postpartum depression(PPD) rears its head. Women are often faced with shame and silence about experiencing PPD and the complicated array of emotions that childbirth has. Books on postpartum depression aim to break the silence on this common and treatable topic so that women can be armed with the knowledge they need to begin working through PPD, seek help, and mobilize the support of the people closest to them.
September 8, 2023
Iris Waichler, LCSW
Parental Abuse: Definition, Examples & How to Heal
Parental abuse involves physical or psychological abuse perpetrated by children or adolescents toward their parents or caregivers. Parents who are the victims of child violence and their children can benefit from professional mental health interventions.
August 31, 2023
