Often it’s hard to ask for help. As new parents, it goes against our independent, self-reliant image. Sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on ourselves, imagining that we can do it all no matter how much parent stress we experience.
The truth is that there are no perfect parents. It is okay to ask for help. Parenting is a team effort-—forever.
We need to start with those closest to us, building our own team, finding support from relatives, friends and neighbors. And we should never hesitate to call the community agencies that are there to help us. All of these can help parents' development as they learn how to help their children.
Reprinted with permission from In Michigan We Love Our Kids, CTF, 1999.