Now, who can help me! is a famous phrase that many of us grew up hearing from a famous television program known as, “El Chapulín Colorado.” If I remember correctly, every time someone was in a situation of distress or despair, it mentioned that phrase and El Chapulín Colorado appeared immediately for the rescue of that person. However, in reality, there is no such character that you can implore when you are desperate, although there are other more realistic alternatives.
Today, many parents are overwhelmed when it comes to raising their children and often do not find what to do. Throughout my professional career, I have seen the father unceasingly blaming his child or his adolescent for his inappropriate behaviors. But when you analyze this situation, it is often the father who has the greatest difficulty instead of the child, and this makes it difficult to correctly handle the different stages of childhood. This is where many parents find themselves at a crossroads where they do not find what to do, and it is at this moment where they have possibly exclaimed, “Now, Who Can Help Me!” Even though this famous television character will not appear, there are many real alternatives that can be a great help in the process of raising and educating your child properly. It is very important to recognize that we are not born knowing everything and that life is full of stages in which we learn from each of them. Do not hesitate to seek help from relatives, friends, professionals, or explore services in the community that can assist you in how to help your child in each of its stages.
Many times, children require much more attention than you think because of diagnosed behaviors and they require more comprehensive parenting skills. Therefore, as parents, it is important to become familiar with how to be more successful when managing your child or adolescent and thereby minimize the level of tension associated with it.
I urge you, if you need any help, you can visit the website, www.pa211east.org/Berks. This place provides you with free information and referral services to community resources.
By Joel Cintrón, MS, MA
President/Founder
Child & Family First, Co.