| We are all born with some parenting skill; qualities such | | | | behavioural problems medications can even be |
| as patience, ability to love, and humour, but other skills | | | | prescribed to help control the symptoms. Do not be |
| need to be learned. Parents do not know how to react | | | | worried about wasting the health professionals' time - |
| to situations until they are faced with them and are on | | | | you aren't wasting their time at all, and they are happy |
| a constant learning curve. | | | | to help. Parenting skill isn't something you have to learn |
| The first thing to remember is to never be afraid to | | | | on your own. |
| ask for advice. Whatever the situation you are trying | | | | Another way to get help with your parenting skill is to |
| to deal with, someone else has been through it before | | | | go to classes. Many classes and programs are |
| you. Your family and your friends are a great source | | | | available, either dealing with specific issues or general |
| of advice and information, as they may have | | | | skills. Your local surgery or social services should be |
| developed a particular parenting skill that you haven't | | | | able to provide you with details of these. If you are |
| needed to find yet. | | | | having serious problems then social services will also |
| Books and the internet are also a great source of | | | | be able to give you help. Asking social services doesn't |
| information. A quick look at online booksellers or | | | | mean they are going to take your children from you so |
| internet sites shows a massive amount of advice | | | | please don't be afraid of asking them for help when |
| available. It is a good idea to double check parenting | | | | you need it. |
| skill advice you find on the internet though as it | | | | Whatever issues you have with parenting skill, whether |
| obviously isn't checked or regulated. | | | | you simply need reassurance, or whether you need |
| Thirdly, your doctor, health visitor, midwife and nurses | | | | serious help, you are not on your own. Millions have |
| are available to help you. If you are seriously worried | | | | had similar problems before you and millions will have |
| about a health or behavioural problem with your child | | | | the same issues in the future. By using the resources |
| they are the best people to ask. There are lots of | | | | you have available to you, you will give your children |
| facilities available to help, such as child psychologists, | | | | the benefit of the best information and parenting skill |
| educational psychologists, and in some cases of | | | | possible. |