When You Feel Like You’re Failing as a Parent
By: Kelci Beus, CMHC, RPT-S
If you’ve ever ended the day thinking something like,
“I don’t think I’m doing this right…”
“Today was horrible. I hope it gets better…”
You are not alone, and this post is for you.
Many parents feel this way—especially when their child is struggling with big emotions, behavior challenges, or anxiety.
At Become You Therapy, we work with children, teens, and parents in the Ogden, Utah area. One of the most common things we hear from parents whose child is struggling is this:
“I feel like I’m failing.”
Why Parenting Feels So Hard When Your Child Is Struggling
When your child is having a hard time, it doesn’t just affect them—it affects your whole family.
You may be:
Trying to stay patient during meltdowns
Unsure how to respond to emotional outbursts
Feeling exhausted from repeating the same things over and over
Wondering if you’re doing something wrong
These experiences are more common than you might think. The fact that you’re already doing them is also a great start. They also don’t mean you’re failing—they usually mean your child, and you, needs more support.
Understanding Child Behavior: It’s Not Just “Acting Out”
Many parents search for help when things with their child get difficult. Some of the things we find caregivers frequently ask for in looking for support include:
Behavior concerns (defiance and inability to follow directions, for example)
Emotional outbursts (hitting, yelling, long temper tantrums)
Anxiety (worry in social settings or getting to sleep)
Difficulty expressing feelings (bottling things up and then blowing up later)
But what looks like “bad behavior” is often something deeper.
Children don’t always have the words to say:
“I’m overwhelmed”
“I feel anxious”
“I don’t know how to handle this”
So instead, those feelings show up through behavior. Your child isn’t hitting a sibling simply because they’re angry; they’re hitting because they don’t know how to tell you something is really bothering them.
Understanding this shift can be the first step toward helping your child more effectively.
Knowing When to Seek Professional Support
Caregivers are amazing. We often adjust and find ways to connect more healthily without even realizing it. But what if that isn’t enough? You might be wondering if your child needs professional support.
Some signs your child may benefit from therapy include:
Frequent meltdowns or intense emotional reactions
Withdrawal or shutting down
Sudden changes in behavior at home or school
Ongoing anxiety or worry
Difficulty communicating feelings
If you’re noticing these patterns, therapy can help your child build the tools they need.
How Play Therapy Helps Children
At Become You Therapy in Ogden, we specialize in play therapy for children.
Play therapy allows children to:
Express emotions in a natural, comfortable way
Process experiences without needing the “right” words
Learn emotional regulation skills
Build confidence and a sense of safety
Instead of expecting children to talk through everything, play therapy meets them where they are—through play. We have a talented team of therapists that specialize in working with children and utilize play therapy. We are passionate about what we do.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
There’s a lot of pressure to get parenting “right.”
But the reality is, sometimes children need support beyond what can happen at home—and that’s okay.
Reaching out for help doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
It means you’re paying attention and taking action.
In addition to your child entering therapy, a good child therapist can help you with parenting skills. This may look like individual sessions where you meet with them without your child. It may also look like joining your child for a session. We’re happy to adjust to your needs and want you to feel successful.
If you’re looking for child therapy, play therapy, or support for anxiety and behavior in Ogden, Utah, Become You Therapy is here to help.
We provide a safe, supportive space for children, teens, and adults to feel understood and build the skills they need to thrive.
If you’ve been wondering whether therapy could help your child, you’re not alone. We’d love to be a part of your journey.
