What if...?
Judgement & Stigma
Common concerns around a child’s behaviour being misunderstood by others.
What if I’m repeating patterns from my own childhood?
What if the people who should support us make us feel worse?
What if I’m not enough?
What if other parents think I’ve failed?
What if I’m too embarrassed to ask for help?
What if people think my child is “bad”?
What if I’m wrong?
What if they’re judged?
What if people think I caused this?
What if my own stress is affecting them?
What if people only see the behaviour and not my child?
What if I can’t give them what they need?
What if the school labels them?
What if my reactions are making them feel unsafe?
What if my child gets a reputation they can’t shake?
What if I’m a bad ‘influence’?
What if this follows them forever?
What if I’m failing their siblings too?
What if people avoid inviting us places?
What if it’s something I’m doing/not doing?
What if people don’t understand?
What if I should have known sooner?
What if other caregivers don’t want their children around mine?
What if I’m not present enough?
What if they get treated differently?
What if I’m not advocating hard enough?
What if I feel embarrassed in public?
What if I can’t handle this?
What if we can’t explain this to the family?
What if I’m making excuses for them?
What if my child feels ashamed?
What if I’m spoiling them?
What if the school calls again?
What if I start avoiding people because I’m afraid of being judged?
What if I’m not patient enough?
What if I’m too strict?
What if people think I’m a bad parent?
What if I’m too defensive?
What if I’m too permissive?
What if my family says I’m being too soft?