When do you know its time . . .

[TripMom]

to seek help with discipline issues?

What are the advantages/disadvantages? Is it scarring for the child? How do you know you need help?

[jewelsJZ]

How old is your child? What are the problems you are having?
Having sought help for myself and my child, I don't think my child was scarred. He was only 3, though, and mostly it was dh and I that got help from a child psychologist. It did help, but looking back, I would focus more on myself and my reactions to his behavior. That's just me and my situation. Thats what is helping me now, to be a better parent to all 3 of my kids.

We knew it was time to get help because what we were doing wasn't working, we were very, very frustrated and we felt that the way we were dealing with it was having a negative effect on our ds. Also, he was having difficulties everywhere: home, preschool, play group, any social situation, basically.

[phathui5]

Do you think you need help?

[TripMom]

I don't think I need help per se. But I could benefit from understanding my DS better - and having an objective 3rd party put things in context for me - help me understand "why" my child is acting this way and help me to respond better and in a more helpful way. So yes - I think I could benefit.

I was just hoping to hear from other parents who decided to seek outside help and hear why/when they did - and if they found it helpful or not?

[LynnS6]

Well, we've sought occupational therapy for ds and are now seeking an eval for anxiety/tics. In the first case, we sought OT because it was clear that ds wasn't outgrowing things and his issues were affecting his ability to be a kid and enjoy life. In the second case, I sought help because I was spending more and more time worrying about his issues.

Professional help can be a really good preventative tool. I have a good friend who has done both family and marriage counseling not because things are really really bad, but because she can see that things could be better. They had a few challenges as a family, but nothing out of the 'ordinary'. Having an outside party weigh in really helped the whole family.

[TripMom]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

Well, we've sought occupational therapy for ds and are now seeking an eval for anxiety/tics. In the first case, we sought OT because it was clear that ds wasn't outgrowing things and his issues were affecting his ability to be a kid and enjoy life. In the second case, I sought help because I was spending more and more time worrying about his issues.

Professional help can be a really good preventative tool. I have a good friend who has done both family and marriage counseling not because things are really really bad, but because she can see that things could be better. They had a few challenges as a family, but nothing out of the 'ordinary'. Having an outside party weigh in really helped the whole family.

Thank you for this post. I have no experience with this - and your perspective was very helpful.