Parenting is a beautiful journey — filled with joy, love, and deep satisfaction.
But let’s be honest: it’s also confusing, exhausting, and at times overwhelming.
Every parent — whether of toddlers or teenagers — grapples with certain universal challenges. Recognizing these struggles is the first step to handling them better.
1. Balancing Work and Family Life
The Struggle:
Today’s parents are juggling demanding careers while trying to be available for their children. The guilt of not being present enough is real.
What Helps:
Set clear boundaries between work and home.
Prioritize family meals or bedtime talks.
Remember: Quality trumps quantity. Even 20 focused minutes daily matter more than 2 distracted hours.
Example:
Ravi, a banker, realized that even though he got home late, a 15-minute bedtime story with his daughter built a stronger bond than any weekend outing.
2. Managing Screen Time and Technology
The Struggle:
Mobiles, tablets, gaming consoles — children are glued to screens, affecting sleep, study, and health.
What Helps:
Set screen-time rules.
Model healthy tech behavior yourself.
Replace gadget time with fun outdoor or creative activities.
Tip: No screens an hour before bedtime — it improves sleep and mood!
3. Dealing with Behaviour and Discipline Issues
The Struggle:
Tantrums, backtalk, mood swings — parents often struggle with discipline without damaging the child’s confidence.
What Helps:
Use positive reinforcement.
Stay calm; shouting rarely works.
Be consistent in rules and consequences.
Story:
Neha used a “reward chart” for her 6-year-old’s chores — turning a daily struggle into a game.
4. Academic Pressure
The Struggle:
Exams, grades, competition — education has become a major stress point for both parents and kids.
What Helps:
Focus on effort, not just results.
Help them set realistic goals.
Encourage curiosity, not rote learning.
Quote:
“Don’t prepare the road for the child. Prepare the child for the road.”
5. Emotional and Mental Health Awareness
The Struggle:
Many parents miss signs of anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem in their kids.
What Helps:
Talk openly about feelings.
Watch for mood changes or withdrawal.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed.
6. Building Self-Confidence
The Struggle:
In a competitive world, kids may feel “not good enough.”
What Helps:
Appreciate effort, not just success.
Let them fail safely — it builds resilience.
Avoid constant comparison with others.
7. Peer Pressure and Social Influence
Teach assertiveness and self-respect.
Stay involved in their social world without spying.
Make home a safe space for sharing.
8. Teaching Values and Ethics
The Struggle:
How do you raise honest, kind, and responsible children in a world that sometimes rewards shortcuts?
What Helps:
Live your values. Children watch more than they listen.
Use real-life examples to teach right and wrong.
Praise acts of kindness and integrity.
9. Parental Disagreements on Parenting Style
The Struggle:
One parent is strict, the other lenient — confusing for the child.
What Helps:
Discuss and align on major rules privately.
Present a united front to the child.
Agree to disagree on minor issues, but stay respectful.
10. Safety — Online and Offline
The Struggle:
Safety from crime, accidents, cyberbullying, or predators is a major worry.
What Helps:
Teach body safety and boundaries early.
Supervise internet use with child-friendly filters.
Keep communication open, so they feel safe to share concerns.
11. Special Needs or Learning Difficulties
The Struggle:
Raising a child with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia needs patience, resources, and understanding.
What Helps:
Get professional assessments early.
Join support groups.
Celebrate small victories and progress.
12. Taking Care of Their Own Well-being
The Struggle:
Exhausted parents can’t raise happy kids. Self-neglect leads to burnout.
What Helps:
Schedule “me-time” — even 15 quiet minutes help.
Seek support from friends, family, or counselors.
Remember: A happy parent raises a happy child.
Final Thoughts
Parenting is not about being perfect.
It’s about being present, patient, and willing to learn along the way.
Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent — they need a real, loving, and human one.
(Keep reading the following 12 post as a continuation of this article in which I describe each of the 12 challenges in detail.)
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Dr. Alfred D'Silva 
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