Supporting Parents = Supporting Children

Summoning all love, compassion and care for parents. You are doing everything and more!

Seriously, take a second to give yourself a high five, hug or a moment to appreciate all you do even when it isn't easy.

In the earliest years of a child’s life, parents are the foundation of emotional development, safety, and growth. But what happens when parents themselves are overwhelmed, anxious, or isolated? Research shows that parent support—is not a luxury, but a necessity.

There can be this pressure from social media and beyond to be “the perfect parent” which newsflash, doesn’t exist. It also makes parents feel they need to “have it all figured out” even if they are raising their children with minimal to no support from others. In reality, everyone is figuring it out as they go and navigating their own personal challenges on top of that.

Parental Mental Health Is Declining - What We Know

Talk to any parent and I guarantee it’s no surprise that themselves or someone they know is struggling with their mental and emotional well-being.

According to a 2025 JAMA Internal Medicine study, the percentage of U.S. mothers reporting “excellent” mental health dropped from 38% in 2016 to just 26% in 2023. Rates of mothers reporting "fair" or "poor" mental health rose from 5.5% to 8.5%.

We also heard an advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General in 2024 inviting us to acknowledge the mountain of stressors impacting parents and families & to take actionable steps to support the well-being of parents.

This is heartbreaking and calls for action to circle around our parents with love, compassion and non-judgmental support.

The Power of Early Parenting Support

We also know the power of early parenting support that comes in all shapes & sizes:

• Structured parent interventions (like home visits, support groups, and therapy) reduce depression, anxiety and related challenges.

• Parent coaching and reflective support improves attunement, decreased behaviors with children and improved parent-child bonding early on.

• Social support in early parenthood decreases risk of long-term mental health and relational difficulties and loneliness.

• Parents who get the support they need, pass on support to their children too.

Why Therapy and Support Groups for Parents Work

Don't worry, there is hope. 💛

Parenting therapy and support groups will:

• Normalize the struggles of early parenting

• Offer tools for emotional regulation and managing challenging behaviors

• Provide a space for reflection and validation

• Support parent self-care and wellbeing

• Judgement free zone

• Decrease feelings of isolation

These supports also offer long-term benefits:

• Better parent-child relationships

• Improved emotional regulation

• Reduced caregiver burnout

• Higher confidence

• Happier and more connected families

My Reminders for Parents:

💛 Good enough, truly is good enough (no perfect parents here!)

💛 You are exactly what your child needs.

💛 It’s okay to have hard days.

💛 Reach out for help when you need it.

💛 Give yourself LOTS of grace

💛 Surround yourself with loving, non-judgmental people

Final Thoughts

Parent support is transformational for you and your family. Your well-being matters. I want every parent to feel like someone is rooting for them and I want you to thrive!

Getting help doesn't mean you failed, it means you're human — humans are made to support humans.

Reach out to whoever you can to get YOUR needs met - a family member, friend, doctor, OB/GYN, therapist, or other supportive professional.

San Diego Parent Therapy and Support

If you’re a parent in San Diego looking for support, here are some resources for you:

Here at Nyo Therapy: Early Years Child Therapy, we specialize in supporting parents raising children in the early years (ages 0-8). Offering individual, family and group support. Reach out today!

• Launching Fall 2025 - a free virtual Parent Support Group (for CA residents) for caregivers raising toddlers & preschoolers.

Below are additional local resources for parent support in the early years:

• Local pregnancy & postpartum groups found through SD Postpartum Health Alliance.

• Free parent support group, coaching and more through First 5 San Diego Healthy Development Services.

• Call NAMI San Diego’s warmline for information, referrals, resources and support (619) 295-1055.

• For mental health emergencies- San Diego Access & Crisis Line 1-888-724-7240.

• Looking for individual therapy for yourself? Check out Psychology Today or I am happy to help you find a personal recommendation in the San Diego area!

National Resources for Parent Support

• Looking for individual therapy for yourself? Check out Psychology Today

• Various topics for parent support groups through Parents Helping Parents.

• Pregnancy & postpartum groups through Postpartum Support International.

• For mental health emergencies- call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Why Parent Support Is Essential in the Early Years of Raising Children

“Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us.” - U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy