Parenting Support

Modern Parenting Pressures: Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

 

Helicopter parenting, free-range parenting, gentle parenting, lighthouse parenting—the list goes on. Today’s caregivers are bombarded with ever-changing ideas about how to be the “perfect parent.” These labels can create immense pressure, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, and unsure of what’s truly best for their children.

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The truth is, every child is different. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Most parents don’t receive formal training in how to raise children; instead, they rely on their own childhood experiences and instincts. The “shoulds” naturally take over—I should be more patient, I should be doing what that parenting book says—because it’s what we know.

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What parents really want is to understand why their children behave the way they do. And just as importantly, to understand why they themselves parent the way they do. With this awareness, they can evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and explore new strategies that might better support their family’s needs.

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Even parents whose children aren’t in therapy often seek guidance. Alison offers consultation and support to caregivers through Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), a play therapy-based approach designed for young children with behavioral, emotional, social, or attachment challenges. In these sessions, she works with parents to explore a wide range of factors that influence behavior and relationships—sensory needs, attachment history, trauma, birth order, developmental delays, and neurological development.

 

There is no perfect way to parent. But with the right support, every parent can become more confident, connected, and effective in meeting their child’s unique needs.