Parenting Made Simpler: Top Products for New or Busy Parents

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Whether you are a first-time parent or already have five children, one thing is for sure: sometimes, you need a little support. Sage Counseling and Wellness firmly believes that all parents who are struggling should seek mental health care from a professional and form a strong support system to help them through tough times. In addition to these, though, there are a handful of helpful products and resources that can help lighten the load and provide great insight about parenting children. And, when you’re a busy parent juggling work, life, and family responsibilities, fast shipping and easy access to essential products are your best friends. In today’s blog, we’ll be sharing the best products that can help with your parenting needs—all of which can be found on Amazon. 

What struggles do parents often face?

Before we jump right into the list of products, let’s assess what common hardships parents face when raising children. Remember, everyone’s experiences are different—one parent may have a completely different view and experience of raising children than another. However, these are some struggles that parents are likely to experience at some point, and they are all completely valid. 

• Burnout: Taking care of children is hard work and time-consuming. Many parents neglect self-care and time for themselves when parenting children, which can quickly lead to burnout [1]. Burnout is physical, mental, and/or emotional exhaustion and is linked to mental health concerns like anxiety and depression [2]. 

• Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome, or feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy despite success, often affects new parents [3]. Although you may be doing all the “right” things to raise your child healthily and happily, those who experience imposter syndrome will feel as though they have no clue how to be a “good” parent. They will likely feel insecure about their parenting style, doubt if their parenting is good enough, and overthink small mistakes. 
• Mental Health Concerns: Many parents experience mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [4]. For some, these disorders may have already existed before they became parents, but were exacerbated by the stress that comes with a change as big as having a baby [5]. For others, they may be experiencing these mental health concerns for the first time. Whatever the case, these concerns can feel scary and isolating, especially when the intense responsibility to be healthy and be there for your child is present.  

Although the following products aren’t guaranteed to “cure” any of the issues above, many may find that they alleviate some of the stress behind the issues and make life as a parent just a bit easier. As always, we recommend seeking professional help if you are struggling. 

Products for Burnout as a Parent: 

• Sound Machine: This sound machine is perfect for ensuring you and your child get good quality sleep. Listening to white noise or sleep sounds has been found to improve sleep [6], which is why this is the perfect product for parents experiencing burnout. Quality sleep is endlessly important for physical and mental health [7], especially reducing burnout [8], which is why it should be prioritized! 

• Spinner Toys: These cute and fun spinner toys are perfect for keeping the kids occupied while you practice some self-care and take some time for yourself to breathe. The best part about them is that they suction to hard surfaces, so they won’t easily get lost. Simply press them against the car window during long car rides or on a table when you’re taking some time to relax and have quiet time. 

• Paint by Sticker: This is a fun and calm activity for children to work on while you spend some time replenishing your energy nearby. While you read a book, do a face mask, or watch television, your child can work on creating cool dinosaur artwork with stickers. You can hang up their creation on the fridge after. 

Products for Imposter Syndrome as a Parent:

•  “Dear Motherhood” by Mrs Emma Heaphy: This beautiful collection of poetry and prose highlights all parts of motherhood—the good, the bad, and everything in between. You may feel alone in your doubts and insecurities as a new parent, but this book helps you understand that your feelings are way more normal and common than you think. 

• “Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child” by Marc Weissbluth: Many new parents feel discouraged by not being able to get their child to fall asleep and stay asleep. The constant feeling of failure can lead to self-doubt and wonderings about whether you are cut out to be a parent. Although your feelings are valid, getting your child to sleep is a common issue among parents. This book can provide you with some helpful tips!

• “Oh Crap! Potty Training” by Jamie Glowacki: Another common area of frustration and discouragement for parents is when it comes time to potty train your child. This takes a lot of patience for many parents, and it can worsen imposter syndrome, especially if you experience many setbacks in the process. This book contains helpful advice to make the process easier! 

Products for Mental Health Concerns as a Parent: 

• “Therapy and the Postpartum Woman” by Karen Kleiman: This is an incredible resource for any mother struggling with postpartum mental illness. It provides expert advice from therapeutic standpoints on improving postpartum mental health and helping you feel less alone. 

• “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts” by Karen Kleiman: From the same author of “Therapy and the Postpartum Woman” comes “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts,” a book all about the intrusive, stressful thoughts and worries new mothers often experience. It breaks down the stigma surrounding intrusive thoughts and provides practical steps for coping with them. 

• “Traumatic Childbirth” by Cheryl Tatano Beck: This book is perfect for anyone who is dealing with the effects of traumatic childbirth. Women can experience a traumatic childbirth, such as premature birth, medical complications, and stillbirth, and yet it is seldom talked about due to stigma. This book speaks openly and honestly about this trauma and discusses recommendations for care and recovery. 

We hope these resources and products can help alleviate some of the stress you’re feeling during parenthood. Remember, adjusting to becoming a parent takes time—be patient and caring toward yourself throughout the process.

To discuss how therapy could help you during this season of your life, please contact me or schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

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