There are many wonderful things about being a parent, but the responsibility of having someone else’s life in your hands, whether your child is a newborn or older – or even an adult – can feel overwhelming at times. All parents have felt like this, and many still do from time to time; it’s all part of the task of parenting, and for the most part, the good times make up for the worrying ones.

Sometimes, however, help really is needed for any number of reasons. When you are a parent, it’s important to be able to ask for that help even if you’re not sure whether you really need to – it’s far better to be safe than sorry, after all. We take a look at some of the main places to turn to for help if you need it when you are a parent so that you know from the start what you should do.

Friends and family

Often the first place people are most comfortable going to when they need help is friends and family. If they have children who have been on a babysitter course then this could also be a godsend. After all, these are the people who have been there, helping, for our entire lives, so it makes sense that we would go to them when we need a little assistance as a parent.

The wonderful thing about having a close support network like this is that you may not even need to ask; the right people will often simply know what you need and how to help. They might turn up on your doorstep with food so that you can have a good meal and they will look after the children while you eat it. Or they might arrange for you to have some time away to recharge. They could simply be a friendly ear to listen to any problems you might be having, and even if they don’t have the solutions, getting everything off your chest can be a relief and make you feel so much better.

Medical Professionals

One of the few times that friends and family won’t be able to help you is if a medical issue needs to be dealt with. This can often be a parent’s worst nightmare, and it is scary when a child is injured or unwell, especially if they are too young to let you know what’s wrong.

Asking for help from medical professionals is not just something you should think about doing; it’s something you are expected to do. If it turns out to be nothing, no one will think badly of you, and your mind will be put at rest. If it turns out to be something that needs to be treated quickly, the doctors and nurses you speak to will guide you through each step.  

Yourself

Although it’s good to ask for help when you need it, it’s also a good idea to be more confident in your abilities so that you can do what is needed and be a happier, more self-assured parent at the same time.

Think about what it is about parenting that scares you, and come up with a solution to help you get past it. Maybe it’s your baby’s health that is a worry, in which case taking a CPR qualification could be useful; you can learn more here. Or perhaps you’re worried about giving your child healthy food – if so, you can learn how to cook food for them and the whole family. Whatever it is you’re concerned about, if you make an effort to understand it and come up with a solution, you can stop being afraid and help yourself.