Parenting

Parenting is a difficult job; no ands, buts, or ifs about it.  You will be challenged at many points as your infant matures into childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and then adulthood.  Having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully raise your child from birth into their adult life is a challenge for every parent.

While there is general consensus that a parents should providing the basic necessities for their child, there is little else about parenting on which there is much consensus. To varying degrees you are responsible for your child's physical health and growth, the shaping of their intellect, and their and spiritual and emotional development.  But for how to parent, what to do, what to say and not say, and what to do when problems arise there are no clear directions.  You will not find a book or resource with all the answers because no such resource exists.  You will have to parent the best you can and you may find that, as with many parents, you want or need some professional help to solve some of the problems that your child will present to you.

While adolescence is an especially challenging period for most parents, at every developmental point in your child's life new parenting challenges abound.  The number of questions and concerns I have had from parents of children from every age group is almost limitless ... from breast feeding and bottle feeding, sibling rivalry, toilet training, sleep and bedtime issues, peer influences and peer pressure, problems faced by children with learning problems or other special emotional, intellectual, or physical needs, discipline approaches, school problems, academic achievement, child and adolescent self-esteem concerns, acting out, rebellious and aggressive behavior, self-destructive behaviors, drug and alcohol issues, risk taking behaviors and thrill seeking ... and the list could go on and on.

When it comes to parenting, you can never have too much information.  I have found that providing parents with an explanation and understanding of the developmental issues the child is going through and putting the child's behavior in prospective is a good place to start. 

Then I have helped many parents examine their son's or daughter's behavior and their, the parents', responses and how the parents responses can aggravate or elevate the problem. I am able to teach the parents new skills that they can use in shaping the child's behavior.  Both Individual and family therapy can be effective with emphasis on Reality Therapy as well as cognitive and behavior therapy.

For more information about parenting, please click on the linked websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger