Parents need all the help they can get these days. We live in a world that’s suffering a climate crisis and an economic crisis, with the cost of living higher than ever and stress levels rising alongside that.
For some parents it can be too much to cope. Hitting rock bottom and only making it harder for themselves by not reaching out or hitting the bottle, with a drug and alcohol rehab clinic the only real way out.
That isn’t constructive. It isn’t ok. And as parents we should be supporting each other during what are incredibly difficult times in order to provide our children with the best possible future.
Parent support groups are fantastic for this, providing encouragement to each other that will not only benefit ourselves, but our children too.
So, what are the main benefits of a parental support group?
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They can provide experiences to the problems you face
Support groups are easy to set up, and one of the best things they can be used for is getting advice and experiences from parents that have gone through, or are going through, exactly what you are.
It’ll normalise your own experiences, reducing stress and anxiety around that, as well as give you some clear ideas on how people have overcome them in the past to find the right solution for you.
They can pick you up when your down
It may be that you don’t want or need any advice, you simply just want a shoulder to cry on and a little bit of encouragement to tell you “everything will be ok”. You’ll certainly get that from a support group, and what’s more, you’ll also be there to say the exact same thing when other parents are in their time of need.
Your kids will make new friends
Not only is a support group great for parents, it’s fantastic for children too. They may not know anyone outside of school and parents in support groups often meet up for play dates, with kids making new friends, and potentially friendships that last a lifetime, much in the same way you are.
It will get you out socialising
For many parents, they have so much they forget to socialise these days. Support groups often meet up for a coffee once a week, and it can sometimes be the only way to socialise outside of family life, with work, sorting the kids and everything else that’s going on.
It’s a bit of time to enjoy yourself, have a laugh and get yourself out of the house for an hour or two. It’s so, so important for our mental health.