There is nothing like the challenges of family life and the daily grind to make a parent feel stuck in a rut. We tend to go to the same friends, the same family members and the same neighborhood parents for support. But, things change—our children grow and change, our lives evolve and morph. We need to make sure our support system changes and evolves with our family and our own needs…
Those moms and dads who were great buddies when our children were in preschool play group may not be the same folks we need around us when our adolescent gets caught shoplifting or we find out that our older parent is sick. As my children have grown up and changed SO much over the years, and as I have gone from being a young married mom to a full time working single mom, I’ve had to make sure that my peripheral and support world adjusted to fit my needs and the changing needs of my family. Not only did I need people around to help provide emergency child care and support, but those who understood, encouraged and supported the uniqueness of our family and the realities of what we tend to go through.
As my kids have gotten older, they have really benefited from having some solid, supportive adult family friends who they feel “get them.” These few gems might have started out as friends of mine—but their unconditional support of my kids has been a true blessing. Now that my children are getting into the late teen years and our needs have really shifted as a family, I find myself needing to expand and update my support system once again. I need people around who understand teenagers and can support our current scene, but I also need personal support as I prepare for launching everyone, the college years, and an empty nest. Not to mention other changes of aging and career and work evolution. I think it is a good idea to take a look around your family support system periodically and see if things are in need of an update.