Sometimes, the very best thing people can do to help children is to help and support their parents. So much of our “focus on the children” efforts go toward providing programs, services, and attempts to change attitudes about kids. However, I think that children’s lives improve when the parents’ lives improve and there are plenty of things people can do to help and support all parents…
I am really not talking about major political policies or big bureaucratic programs here—I’m talking about little ways that people can pitch in and support a busy parent—any busy parent. Instead of scolding, ignoring, or offering up disapproval—offering to hold the groceries while a parent corrals a toddler and unlocks the car door, giving up your bus seat for a parent with a child, or letting the woman with the crying baby take your place in line—are all easy, little things that make a huge difference in the day of a frazzled parent.
Most parents want to be able to focus on their child and the parenting task at hand—it’s all the other elements and details that can get in the way. Having little “angles” step in and help with those other details allows us to put that extra focus and energy into parenting. A busy parent needs help with the daily details—laundry, meal preparation, gardening, running errands—not necessarily parenting. Those gestures of help and support go such a long way in helping a parent feel capable and encouraged to meet the challenges of parenting. We parents can feel so judged and inept at times and a little encouragement can be a real boost.
Change and support do not always have to come in huge, sweeping efforts—often it is ordinary little things done by seemingly ordinary people that make the very biggest differences!
See Also: Bartering For Time and Thank Goodness for Mentors!