Parenting Advice Blog
Bethan’s Parenting Advice blog where she answers your parenting problems.
If you’d like Bethan to answer your parenting problem, email her at hello@bethanoriordan.com
How can I parent my teen when they have no respect for me or anything I say?
The first word that comes to mind is respect, though not in the direction you may suspect. You must show your teenager respect. It’s so easy to get into a ding dong with pre-teens (and teens) and create rifts in relationships that, in my therapeutic experience, only...
To be the parent you want to be it is possible to overcome childhood trauma, but it’s a path best not walked alone
Q: How can I unlearn the ways of my upbringing and acknowledge my childhood trauma? I want to assure you that it is possible to unlearn the ways of your upbringing. However, it requires you to acknowledge your childhood trauma with a psychotherapist. I see the word...
How do I parent my teen when they have no respect for what I say?
The first word that comes to mind is respect, though not in the direction you may suspect. You must show your teenager respect. It’s so easy to get into a ding dong with pre-teens (and teens) and create rifts in relationships that, in my therapeutic experience, only...
Lead your child by example – How to ease the guilt of losing your cool in two easy steps
Isn’t parenting guilt a big, heavy dark emotion? Did you know that guilt is our in-built mechanism for doing no harm? It’s like a reflex that comes on board without you ever having invited it to show up. What I am saying is that guilt isn’t your fault. Yes, it is...
6 things stopping you setting effective boundaries with your children and how to overcome them
Each week I answer one of your parenting questions. This week I answer "how can I set boundaries that work?", I hope the response helps you to be the parent you'd like to be. When I meet with parents, there are many reasons they find boundaries challenging to stick...
Reset your unrealistic parenting expectations
Each week I answer one of your parenting and personal development questions. This week I answer "How can I set realistic expectations? I get lost and frustrated when unrealistic expectations aren’t met.” I hope you find the response helpful. The word expectations is...
I am so self critical, what can I do?
No one will ever be as hard on ourselves as ourselves. It’s bonkers when you think about it! It’s totally counterproductive to our happiness and ability to thrive. Having self critical thoughts is not a weakness as it is part of our inner defense and...
Help – I feel like a terrible mum
I am sorry that this is your experience of being a Mum. I’d love to know more about why you think this. You might be able to understand this better yourself by asking yourself these questions. Who are you comparing yourself to? Is it the practical...
How can I help my child who is self-harming?
I know from meeting parents that having a child who is self-harming or suicidal is the most frightening part of parenting any parent will ever face. I want readers to know that change is possible for you, the child and your relationship. No parent can ever say that...