During pregnancy, a mother-to-be is likely to go through a range of emotions, one of which can take its toll on the development of the baby if not managed correctly, namely, stress. Nowadays stress has become a primary concern in many parts of the world, where other health issues can be controlled easily with modern medicine, stress is harder to combat.
Stress can lead to further issues in pregnancy, childbirth and especially when it comes to raising children. Having a reliable and trustworthy parenting support network is one sure-fire way to help combat stress at all stages of the parenting journey, through pregnancy and birth, to dealing with nappy rashes, toddler tantrums and even the rebellious teenage years later on.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages there are to having a good, stable support network throughout the various stages of parenting and how it can reduce stress.
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Support In Pregnancy And Early Childhood
Having a group of people available to help at times of difficulty is vital in many areas of life and that goes double for pregnant women. The pregnancy period can be very challenging as women have other stress factors to deal with such as the physical symptoms and hormonal changes. Being able to depend on someone or various people allows not only mothers-to-be but also their partners, family members and friends to get advice in a trusted environment, from reliable sources about a range of topics. This alone can be a weight off of the mind of a mother-to-be.
Additionally, when a baby is born and a parent must adapt their schedule to care for the child, often they can suffer from stress, anxiety or depression due to the lack of social contact, the exhaustion and the strain that nursing a newborn can cause. Whereas, the interaction gained through a support network throughout the early childhood stages can be vital to ensure that parents share their experiences and are listened to, helping in turn to reduce stress.
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Bonding Through Similar Experiences
It can be difficult for parents whose circle of friends and relatives have not yet had children and are not in the same situation to feel like they are able to be completely understood by their friends and family. Often humans bond over similar experiences and feel more comfortable speaking to people who understand what they are going through.
In this way, having a parenting support group available allows parents and parents-to-be to relate to people who have either experienced the same or similar things or are currently having the same or similar issues. Being able to discuss elements of parenting with other parents improves the overall experience and reduces the stress caused by sharing the load.
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Support Services Available
Due to the stress and other mental anguishes that parenting can cause, there are dozens of parenting support services available to help parents deal with a variety of demanding situations. There are friends and family available to pitch in when you need a helping hand, childcare and babysitting services, phone lines to help with conflict issues and everyday parenting concerns, other information and advice services such as the Maternal and Child Health Service, doctors and midwives – the list goes on. Don’t be afraid to reach out to online support groups, local groups or other associations that offer support to parents.
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Why We Need Parenting Support
It is a well-known fact that with everything there is going on nowadays stress is a major factor in many parents’ lives. Juggling a career, a home, a family and everything else can cause severe strain on a parent and their family. It is better to get the help you need when you need it, take care of your mental health and wellbeing. Do not let stress get the better of you.
