Four analogies for parenting mental health.
On June 9th, along with 44 intrepid fundraisers, I climbed Mount Snowdon to raise money for Parenting Mental Health (PMH). It was an incredibly challenging walk. The wind blew with 30-mile-an-hour gusts, and the clouds closed in. There were many points when I wondered if I would make it.
The great news is that all of us completed the challenge. The even better news is that we raised over £22,000 for PMH.
When I returned from our adventure, friends asked me how I’d found the climb. My response was, “It was truly horrendous.” I found it daunting and painful. At one point in the walk, I had a panic attack. I could not catch my breath, and I was really scared. Despite all of this, a month on, I honestly say I’m glad I did it.
As I reflect on my experience, I see four analogies between climbing a mountain and parenting a child with mental ill health.
Parenting a child with mental health difficulties is challenging.
In PMH, you will be seen and understood. There are others making the same journey. Being a parent of a child struggling with mental health is not a walk in the park. As we walked Snowdon, our bright pink hoodies enabled us to see one another's progress. That was a great encouragement. In life, we can find each other and cheer one another on in membership of the PMH community.
It is best to take it one step at a time.
I joked that it was fortunate that our walk was in the dark, so I could not see the steepness of the ascent ahead. If I had seen it, I would have been terrified. With no other choice, I focused on the path directly in front. I mentally celebrated every step. According to Fitbit, I conquered Snowdon with a series of small steps—30,665 of them!
Support from someone with experience is invaluable.
Fabulous guides from Elite Adventures, supported our ascent of Snowdon. Several times when I was flagging, a guide came alongside me. They shared words of advice and encouragement. They gave me hope that I could complete the challenge. At times, they even made me smile! The admins and moderators in the PMH community have all walked a parenting mental health journey of their own. Their comments and care have brought hope and light to me. You will not regret joining if you’re not yet part of the community. I also highly recommend the ‘Partnering not Parenting (PNP)’ course, written and run by PMH founder Suzanne Alderson. Advice from real-world lived experience is powerful. Many members, including myself, have found ‘PNP’ life-changing.
It’s your journey, and it’s not a race. Take breaks.
When I was barely halfway up Snowdon, members of other groups started passing me on their way back down. Their speed precipitated another wobble. ‘Surely this was too hard for me. Why had I even started?’ I paused to breathe. Our situations and circumstances were different. I had started with limited fitness and little experience. I did not know their starting point, but that was not my business! A comparison was unhelpful. I was here to walk my walk, and I could take as many breaks as I needed. I would finish, and the time would not matter.
I hope you find my analogies helpful, and I certainly hope I’ve not put you off fundraising for PMH. There are many less physically demanding ways to raise money. Why not show your support and join the BIG PICNIC for Parenting Mental Health?
