Parents are under greater pressure, more than ever before, and everyone always seems to have an opinion on our parenting skills. We have become a society addicted to posting the “right” shot of our kids and our “happy” family. We have bought into a false sense of reality which has such a huge impact on us as parents and our mental health.

But guess what, no one is perfect. Neither are there any perfect families out there. As parents getting caught up in this false reality can leave us feeling continually pressurized. Parenting is after all part of our identity. If anything goes wrong, or is perceived as such, it can feel very personal for us. Like we are the failures somehow. Many parents are faced with some very common mental health challenges as a result.

By recognizing these we can do a few things to help ourselves. Firstly we can reach out for support. Parenting is hugely demanding physically, emotionally and mentally so we need a good support structure in place. Secondly we can recognize that we are not alone here. All parents are faced with these common mental health challenges.  When we recognize this it helps to reduce the isolation and loneliness that so often accompanies parenting.

What are some of the common mental health challenges facing parents?

3 Common Challenges That Can Cause Mental Health Problems.

A Lack Of Self-Care.

Most parents will tell you that they never have a minute to themselves. Trying to balance out our lives as parents is an art in itself. Finding the time to take care of our basic self-care can be tough. But it is a necessity.

Sleep a fundamental of basic self-care tends to go out the window. We tend to use some of this time to take care of all the bits and pieces just to keep things ticking over. But a lack of sleep will undermine our ability to cope daily. We are setting ourselves up for so many health and mental health issues.

Add to this not eating right, reaching for too much caffeine and no exercise all of which impacts our mental and physical health. It can be easy to see why this lack of basic self-care is an all too common cause of mental health issues for parents. It’s that domino effect, we put off or don’t do one thing but it has bigger implications on everything else.

Getting that basic self-care foundation in place is vital for everyone. But more so for parents in order to keep their mental health balanced.

Not Utilizing A Positive Support System.

Everyone needs a positive support system surrounding them. At certain times in our life this is more fundamental and parenting is one of those times. We all need positive informational, emotional, tangible and social supports in our day to day lives. Parents have lost some of these as extended family tends to have moved further apart over the decades. It is important that we nurture and encourage our positive support system and look to see who we can now include on that list.

Becoming a parent changes how we feel about ourselves, it’s an identity crisis. We can lose friends that are not at the same stage of life yet. Our family may not live close by. When we feel disconnected from others we can feel isolated, lonely and this can lead to mental health issues. Positive supports and connecting to people that we know will support us in a positive manner will help reduce this challenge to our mental health.

Financial Issues.

Let’s face it having children is expensive. School, childcare costs and all household bills do start to add up when you have children. The normal child care costs can be as much as a mortgage.

Any type of financial insecurity will add to the stress and anxiety we feel as parents. Lower income levels may have left you just getting by but now they become a major issue. Women tend to have lower incomes than their male counterparts. If you are a single parent balancing your finances will add to your stress levels.

You might find that you could be reduced to a single income for a variety of reasons. Plus all your expenses have increased dramatically. All this adds even more stress. It really isn’t surprising that financial insecurities and uncertainties are linked to depression, anxiety and stress related issues in parents.

2 More Challenges That May Cause Mental Health Issues.

Raising A Child With A Disability.

Raising a child with a disability brings with it a whole host of added problems that a parent has to contend with. Meeting all the care needs plus the added stress, feelings of guilt, fear and worry all take their toll on a parent’s physical and mental health.

Most of these parents are selfless in their devotion to their child but at what cost? It is not unusual for parents to suffer burnout. Being a parent is hard. But we take on that role with love. But being a parent of a disabled child can at times feel impossible. This leaves us open to a host of physical and mental health issues.

Divorce And Conflict With You Ex.

Divorce and separation can be very difficult for all those concerned. The pressures at this time do take their toll on our mental and physical health. Divorce can see us riddled with guilt about its affects on our children, and fear of the future. Financial stress is common also.

Then add in any conflict that your ex might bring to the table and it could tip you over the edge. It is not uncommon for bullying, manipulation, violating agreements including maintenance to go on. It’s no wonder that divorce and separation is a common mental health challenge.

Please note if you have, or are suffering, domestic violence please reach out for help. But be very mindful of your safety first and foremost. You can find more information from my blogs on domestic violence.

Reach Out For Professional Support.

It is important that we reach out for professional support sooner than later. Therapist can form a fundamental part of your positive support system.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.