New Directions Youth & Family Services - Family Peer Support Program

02/19/2026

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01/27/2026

We all feel anxious sometimes, but some children experience anxiety that is so serious that it can be diagnosed as a disorder.

01/27/2026

Kids with learning disabilities are more likely to be depressed. They need emotional as well as academic support to succeed.

01/27/2026

Why it's very common for kids to have more than one mental health or learning disorder, and how their treatment is affected.

12/23/2025

Sharing A message from Empowering Parents

A Special Message for Discouraged Parents

Parenting is hard. We speak to many people every day who are struggling with challenging parenting issues. It’s natural to get caught up in negative thoughts about yourself and your family.

Here are some common thoughts we hear from parents:
“I love my family, but sometimes I don’t like being a parent.”
”My friends’ kids are so easy. Why can’t my kids be like them?”
“I’m just not good at this. I’m failing as a parent.”
So what do you do when you are discouraged stuck in negative thinking? Here are some things we’ve learned from working with so many parents over the years.

1. Don’t Compare Your Insides to Other People’s Outsides

When we compare how other people seem on the outside to how we feel on the inside, it is easy to get discouraged with our struggles. The truth is, no one has it all, and we all have negative thoughts about ourselves or our families at times.

So don’t compare your real life to someone’s seemingly picture-perfect social media images. You’ll always come up short.

Just know that there is no such thing as a perfect parent.

Everyone has moments where they make parenting mistakes. Everyone has moments where they regret their words or their actions. And everyone has moments where they wish they could start the day over.

Mistakes and regrets come with the job. Mistakes and regrets are OK.

2. It’s OK to Ask for Help

When you are feeling stuck or unsure of what to do next, it is OK to reach out to a friend or to find online resources to help you. Kids don’t come with an instruction manual, but there are lots of resources available.

Warning: be wary of judgmental friends and relatives who make you feel inadequate. Just focus on your child’s behavior and not on how others are making you feel.

And don’t blame your child for how others are making you feel. If you can do this, you will feel better, and you will be a more effective parent.

3. You’re Not Alone

The Empowering Parents team has the privilege of speaking with so many parents from all around the world. We can tell you that if you are feeling overwhelmed, tired, worried, or upset about a parenting challenge, you are in good company here. It’s common to feel this way.

When you are having negative thoughts, be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that we are all just doing the best that we can. We are all in this together. We’re glad you are here with us.

Warmly,
The Empowering Parents Team

Related article: How to Let Go of Parenting

12/21/2025

We are hiring Family Peer Advocates and a Family Peer Recovery Advocate for Niagara County. Check out our website www.fosteringgood.org under careers and make a difference in someone’s life

12/05/2025

For anyone interested

11/24/2025

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Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. Learn more about anxiety disorders—like generalized anxiety disorder—and how to get help for yourself or for others: samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/anxiety