Parents Struggling with Children Getting Older

“It takes a village to raise a child” is as relevant today as it was when it was spoken. While friends and family members can be helpful at times, parents sometimes need some additional help in the form of therapy for adolescents or parents, especially when a power struggle begins or emotional rollercoasters ensue. Dr. Joan Oppenheim of Westport, CT, offers services such as child parenting support, adolescent therapy, and family therapy to help with conflict resolution and developing strong bonds.

Parenting Challenges When Children Want to Gain Independence

As your children grow, they form their own thoughts and opinions. And they want to be treated like adults, though they still aren’t fully prepared.

As a parent, you want to protect them, but you also want to let them grow into healthy, happy individuals. You know they aren’t quite ready to take on all they want to, even if they are intelligent and generally well-behaved. However, saying "No" constantly leads to fights, tension, and strained relationships.

While all of this is common, it doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. Below, Dr. Oppenheim of Westport, CT, shares how family therapy, adolescent therapy, and child parenting support can help.

Improved Communication and Understanding of One Another

It is not uncommon for children to think their parents know nothing or that they are just being unfair. It’s also not uncommon for parents to assume a child thinks poorly of them or is even acting out as a way to get even.

More often than not, though, none of these thoughts are true. Instead, the parents and children cannot communicate their feelings properly, one or both aren’t actively listening, or there's simply a lack of understanding.

One important step to conflict resolution is being able to communicate and gain insight into the other person’s side. Therapy is very helpful in doing both.

Expressing Feelings and Emotions

It can be difficult to express how you think and feel to one another, especially if you’re afraid it will start a fight or hurt the other person’s feelings. Therapy for adolescents allows children to be open about their feelings and gain insight into healthy ways to share them. Therapy for parents can help you define your values and boundaries and learn effective, healthy ways to enforce them.

These are just a couple of ways therapy for adolescents and parents can help. Learn more about how family therapy, child parenting support, and adolescent therapy can help you achieve conflict resolution by calling (203) 227-3848. Dr. Oppenheim offers in-person sessions in Westport, CT, and online through Connecticut and New York.