Having your child involved with a crime is stressful, worrisome, and even embarrassing. How can you move forward as an individual so that you can become a better parent? Does it even matter? The answer is yes, and here's how to do it.

Learned Behaviors

Differential association is the theory that people learn criminal behavior from others. As a parent, it's natural to wonder what you did wrong and to blame yourself, and it's well worth exploring the question of how you and your family's lifestyle may have contributed to your child's behavior, especially if the crime in question closely mimics something you or your co-parent has done. However, it's important not to label yourself a bad person or terrible parent, because, as you've learned, labels are not helpful; a focus on behavior is. You may need to re-evaluate some of your own behaviors and think about what you can do to parent more effectively, but chances are, you can't do it alone.

Support and Counseling

Any feelings you have are valid. Now is a perfectly reasonable time to ask others for help, so ask your boss if you can take a week off, ask family members to help with chores or hassles, ask a friend if you can meet for a walk or a cup of coffee to talk about what's been on your mind. Then, get counseling. It is not possible to go it completely alone, and most people will understand and appreciate your attention to your child at this time, so reach out.