Sometimes it begins with a question or concern. You are thinking about your baby and wondering, when maybe a little doubt or confusion begins to creep in.

You’re the one who’s supposed to know all of those, well, parenting things. But your journey has just begun and the road may not feel crystal clear. Sometimes we just need a little bit of extra support in this huge transition from being pregnant to being a parent. New parent counseling can help.

We can learn a lot from books – and there are many out there to choose from. We can learn a lot from our own caregivers and friends – perhaps both about what we want to do, and what we don’t want to do with our children. We can follow our own intuition as well.

But when we are feeling perhaps a little vulnerable and are getting a great deal of feedback from many different sources, it may feel overwhelming. With new parent counseling, you can gain support when you may most need it, and keep little doubts from growing into bigger parenting issues.

New parent counseling might be a really good match for you. Here’s why:

Your expectations will be challenged

Parenting gets really real, really fast.

You have likely already experienced that if you are reading this now.

From the moment you decided to take on this parenting journey, weird and wonderful events, thoughts, and feelings probably began popping up pretty regularly. Your desire to give your baby a great start may be bombarded with head knowledge, high hopes, and a multitude of worries and advice. Much of this can be conflicting.

It’s an emotional and sometimes exhausting time.

Improving your ability to manage your own anxiety, moods, and interactions related to parenting will help provide a healthy emotional environment for your baby.

New parent counseling can foster critical emotional and mental awareness. It will help you deal with unforeseen disappointment or negativity.

You’ll begin to identify connections stemming from your own childhood, expectations, and needs that may affect your parenting in the present or the future.

Counseling creates transitional space to help you settle your mind and encourage personal growth.

You and your baby can spend time in new parent counseling helping to ease the transition for both of you, and intentionally laying the groundwork for the beautiful parent-child relationship you dream of. If you have a partner, your partner can join you to gain support as well. This may be particularly useful if there has been considerable strain on your relationship.

You really don’t have to do this alone

Parenting can be overwhelming at times.

This is new and unfamiliar territory. Having a skilled therapist in your corner can be a very positive thing.

The point of new parent counseling is not for the therapist to make your choices for you or to second-guess you.

Instead, you get compassionate and knowledgeable encouragement in the following ways:

  • Increased knowledge and preparation for all things baby. Understand life with a newborn or baby. Secure support systems and thoughtfully consider the current and upcoming challenges in a focused, meaningful way.
  • Improved coping skills. Develop a secure bond day-to-day between you and your child by learning healthy ways to manage the transitions and changes that happen emotionally, physically, and relationally in a relatively short amount of time.
  • Mindful, present parenting habits. Your baby will greatly benefit from your attention and presence. New parent counseling can help you mindfully take time for the meaning of it all.

So much is happening so fast, new parenting can blow by you, if you’re not careful.

Let new parent counseling slow things down a bit, reminding you to be present during precious moments, and providing you with skills to make that a reality. This allows you to examine all your emotions and really experience the fun and fright of parenting.

You need balance at home

Parenting can get in the way of partnering, and in the way of time for yourself.

Your baby’s strongest foundation lies with you – his or her caregiver, or caregivers.

Transition and change can be both exciting and stressful, even for the most resourced of us. Finding time for yourself to recharge, and time for your partner if you have one, is integral to your child’s great start. You, your partner, and your relationship will feel the strain.

New parent counseling can help you work towards settling your nervous system, enhancing your attachment with your child, and working through issues that might cause problems through the early days of sleep deprivation and adjustment. Counseling will also give you tools to enhance your connection and loving feelings amidst all of the changes in your lives.

New parents need help. Seek guidance from someone devoted to building your confidence as a new parent, so that you can grow the best little person possible. Your child’s best start with you is worth it.

For more information on Preparing for Parenthood Counseling click here.