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Shame: Parenting is done largely without preparation, someone to learn from, or resource to call upon when the work becomes
overwhelming. There is an unspoken myth that a parent ought to be able to do it all herself. This creates inevitable failures which parents are ashamed to talk about, thus increasing their isolation from possibly
getting the help they need. Guilt: There is a lack of consensus that parenting is a skill that needs to be learned so when parents have a hard time parenting, they feel
they have personally failed, that somehow they should just know how to deal with all the difficulties that arise. These feelings of guilt interfere with parents reaching out for help and prevent parents from recognizing their
successes and enjoying their children. Incompetence: Parents seriously lack information about needs of children and they receive much conflicting casual advice. Along with good
information, they need a great deal of support, as they are often (hopefully) trying to break new ground from how they were raised. Fatigue: Parents have a 24 hour
responsibility. They often work alone, unsupported, feeling guilty, under criticism from others or their own feelings of incompetence. When fatigue sets in, it becomes more difficult for parents to make clear decisions,
be present with others or to remember to take care of themselves. To put the situation simply, most parents have plenty of commitment and caring, but don't know what tools to use to help
them turn this powerful love into a steady, appropriately nurturing environment for their children. In the Parents Group, parents have a chance to learn from each other's struggles and
successes. Vital information is presented by the Group Works therapist/ parent educator about what children need most from their parents. The group will provide the encouragement and tools for parents to build more
effective support for themselves and their families. One aim of the Group Works Parents Groups is for parents to come away feeling as though the work of parenting is a crucial and valuable endeavor that deserves the respect
in our society that other work of importance holds. Here are some things to communicate to your children every day, in your own words, and in ways that communicate from you to them:
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Parenting is often a joyful and deeply rewarding endeavor, but it's not easy. It is a far bigger job than we
had ever imagined. Parents find themselves stretched to the limit of their stamina. On top of this there are many societal challenges. For one, the work of parenting is not recognized as work.
Economically, parenting occupies almost the same niche as a hobby. Because the work of parenting is unrecognized and unsupported, parents experience many feelings, some of which are touched on here:
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