Families can take many forms.
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There are the 'traditional' family units with both mother and father plus children.
There are single parents who have the sole responsibility for raising a child. Increasingly families can also have arrangements for shared care of children by separated and divorced parents. As well as biological parents, many others successfully fill the parenting role. These include step-parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, foster parents and many others from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. |
Families in all their different forms can provide children with the love and nurturing they need to become happy people with healthy self-esteem.
Adults in the parenting role are not the only ones who are responsible for bring up children. The saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ reminds us that we are all responsible for ensuring that children in our society are raised in an environment that supports their needs. We are interconnected human beings who need to reach out to one another: to help, to guide, to encourage, and to make safe.
You may feel alone and unsupported in your parenting at times. It is important to remember that all members of society have an interest and a responsibility to ensure the well being of every child – including yours. Do not hesitate to ask for the support of others or to accept support that is offered. The counsellors at Parent Line can be a part of your support network to help you through the challenges that inevitably occur for all parents. |
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