Almost every loving parent wants to raise a happy family and reap the benefits of happy family life. One way to achieve this is to know and prepare yourself for the challenges of raising a family. Being a parent comes with numerous challenges, from raising kids to dealing with health issues and financial constraints. Parenting today also offers newer challenges, especially as society continues to change and newer demands, requirements, and new parenting styles emerge. If you’re preparing to be a parent soon, here are some challenges you can expect to face.
Family breakdowns, relationship problems, and single-parenting
It’s probably safe to assume that no well-meaning person builds a family, hoping it will all fall apart soon, but it happens. Family breakdowns and separations are becoming even more common than you think. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do when you find yourself facing the possibilities of divorce, single-parenting, or child custody issues. In every case, your first and best attempt should be to find solutions to what’s threatening your marriage. However, you can always consult experienced solicitors in family law to assist you if these family issues arise.
Combining work with parenting
Many households deal with major challenges in their career as they struggle to juggle the demanding responsibilities of work and parenting. While your prime objective for working may be to keep your family clothed, sheltered, and fed, you don’t want to devote all your attention to work. Children, especially, need the constant presence of their parents to offer them the emotional support they need through various phases of their lives. You should learn how best to balance work requirements and family life so that one does not adversely affect the other.
Dealing with expectations
Every parent had some expectations of what their family lives would look like. You want your children to do well in good schools, a stable financial life, a nice family car, and frequent family vacations. But family life does not always turn out the way you dreamed of or expected. Expectations are great, but you need to make sure that they are realistic and attainable.
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Lack of emotional bonding
A lack of emotional connection is another thing many parents struggle with concerning their families. Several things can lead to this, including a lack of time, job, and stress, to mention a few. Failing to spend time with your family or connect with them emotionally has several consequences, especially for your children. For example, children may refrain from sharing their troubles with their parents and can easily go astray as a result.
Financial issues and quality of life
Financial issues are some of the main challenges many families face, especially when children come into the picture. Debt and money issues have resulted in many families falling apart. With the current standard of living going up worldwide, many families are beginning to face a lot more financial pressure than they used to. This has affected the quality of life of many families.
I’m sure it’s so helpful and reassuring for those who are parents to read this; there are often more challenges than people realize or are spoken about. This was really good for me to read too even though I’m don’t have children as it helps me be more aware of what people may be going through.
We should all be more open about the conversation regarding these issues. And it is great to raise awareness.
Lots of complex topics, reinforces why I am choosing to me child-free… Life is for living and for me dealing with such issues wouldn’t ever be a mood for me!
Nice blog!
Joseph
I completely support anyone’s choice to either have or not have children. Everyone should! Children are hard work and the world isn’t exactly a welcoming place right now 🙂
Too often people only post on social media when things are going well! Thank you for sharing not just the good but the challenges of parenting.
Thanks for your comment. And I agree, I am sick of seeing polished pictures on Instagram. I want to see someone who looks like me – worn out, messy hair and a true image of mum- life.
As parents we often put pressure on ourselves to do it all and do it all perfectly. Managing expectations and focusing on relationships are so important. Thank you for sharing!
There is so much pressure on parents and it has taken me a long time to just ignore it! And do my best 🙂
This post will help many parents and families feel less alone and think they are failing as parents or families. Thank you for sharing your tips and experience.
Lauren x
I hope it does help other parents out there! x