When Parenting Gets Hard: How to Keep Going
Drawing from Dr. Dave Currie’s article “Tough Seasons of Parenting”
Parenting isn’t a quick jog around the block — it’s a long-haul race, and at times, it can feel more like a grueling marathon you didn’t fully train for. In his original article “Tough Seasons of Parenting,” Dr. Dave Currie describes it perfectly: there are stretches of incredible joy where everything clicks… and then, there are those other seasons — the ones you just hope you survive.
Whether you’re wiping up toddler chaos, navigating pre-teen attitudes, or walking through high school drama, tough parenting seasons can wear you down. You love your kids deeply, but it’s also normal to wonder, “Am I getting anything right?”
If that’s where you’re at, take heart — you’re not alone. These hard places are where wisdom is forged.
A Few of Dr. Dave’s Practical Tips for the Rough Days
- Be the adult — Your children need a steady guide more than another buddy.
- Give yourself a timeout — Walk away, breathe, pray, sleep on it. A calm response is always better than a quick one.
- Stay united with your spouse — You’re stronger when you lead together.
- Watch your tone — What your voice communicates matters just as much as what you say.
- Lean on others — Sometimes another trusted voice will reach your child better than you can in the moment.
- Keep finding connection points — Look for something you enjoy doing together, even if everything else feels like a struggle.
- Cover it all in prayer — Parent on your knees. God sees, hears, and helps.
Keep Going — This Season Won’t Last Forever
There will be times you feel out of ideas, out of energy, and out of patience — but that doesn’t mean you’re not a good parent. It just means you’re in one of those harder chapters where perseverance matters most.
If you’d like to dive deeper into Dr. Dave’s reflections on this topic, you can read his original post: “Tough Seasons of Parenting – How to Make It Through.”
Need support handling a difficult parenting stage?
Our counselling team at Doing Family Right is here to walk with you — in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, or online wherever you are. Reach out anytime for individual, couples or family counselling.
