Parenting is a rewarding journey at the best of times, but it also comes with many stressful challenges. When you are home all day with the kids, life can become a marathon of high-octane activities. From feeding to cleaning to entertaining, you can feel frazzled with no end in sight. There will be hectic days when your parental stress reaches an all-time high, making you wish for some relief.
Whether you are a full-time parent, a working parent, or a single parent, taking care of the kids is a high-pressure responsibility. While your children remain the top priority, you also need to take care of your mental health. Being stressed all the time is an unpleasant experience. There are healthier ways to manage your family without feeling overwhelmed by the chaos.
Our counselling services are readily available in case you need to consult with a professional. In addition, there are practical strategies that help with managing the stress of being a parent. Check out these seven parenting stress management tips for high-pressure moms and dads:
1. Start and end each day without parenting stress.
You don’t have to be a parent 24/7. Start your day with some calm and soothing personal time. In the mornings, wake up an hour before your kids do. Set aside some time for a zen period in your schedule, where you focus on breathing and peace. Try some yoga or quiet reading to put yourself in a place of calmness. Sit outside and watch the world around you wake up.
After the kids go to sleep, take some more time to unravel and let the stress slide off you at the end of the day. Have a bath and listen to your favourite podcast or Spotify list. Enjoy this time with some relaxing activities, which will rejuvenate you before your beauty sleep.
2. Plan your parenting schedule.
Your parenting stress and anxiety will increase tenfold if you have no idea what to do with the kids. Children do well with structure, so following a routine will help to keep them in line. While some surprises may throw off your schedule occasionally, you’ll feel more in control by sticking to an organized plan.
Be flexible and include the children in some of the planning. That way, the kids get to do the activities they enjoy. Mix in schoolwork and chores with their ideas to spread out the fun. Remember to put in breaks for yourself while they eat or do schoolwork. Make sure everyone gets some fun time, even you.
3. Respond and reset from parenting stress.
Parenting is a tough job. Every day, there may be tricky scenarios that challenge you as a parent. Your kids may not always behave appropriately or obey your instructions. Sometimes, you have to stop fights, deal with unruly behaviours, and dish out the appropriate discipline.
Try not to lose your cool over the chaos. Respond instead of reacting to unfavourable situations. When everything gets handled, drop the issue and move on. You can’t carry resentments all day because the negative emotions will affect your mood, which the kids will notice. Take a quick moment and reset yourself back to a calm, neutral state. You’ll be surprised how the kids will learn this stress management technique and use it after their conflicts too.
4. Show love and affection in your parenting style.
Nothing diffuses a situation more than love. Half the time, kids act disruptive because they want your attention. Watch for opportunities to praise what your children are doing. Let them know how much you love them and how proud you are to be their mom or dad.
Expressing your love and affection will lift the spirits in the whole house. The positivity will spread like sunshine, and your kids may even share similar sentiments towards you. It will warm your heart to hear your beloved child say something so unimaginably adorable about you. Even seeing a simple smile on your child’s face will help to alleviate your parenting stress.
5. Get active and exercise with your kids.
When stress is brewing, it’s time to start moving. Tension can heat up when you are taking care of the children. It can be a slow build or an explosive bomb. Either way, if the tension erupts, everyone gets hurt by the negative outbursts.
Recognize the triggers and use physical exercise as a remedy. Have shoes, coats and a go-bag ready at the front door when it’s time for some fresh air. You may be the one needing it most, but the kids will be happy to get out and run around at the park. Send them off to the play area or on the field with a ball while you watch from a distance. Fresh air and sun will relax everyone in the family.
6. Enjoy the company of other parents and adults.
Everyone needs a break from parenting. Since you deal with children and their issues during the day, you should also balance your schedule with adult interactions. When your partner or another guardian looks after the kids, get out for brunch and drinks with some friends. Catch up on their lives and have some fun!
If you have a spouse or romantic partner, allocate some time to reignite this healthy relationship. Schedule a weekly date night after the kids fall asleep. On special occasions, hire a babysitter for an evening while you go out and celebrate with a romantic dinner and activity. Make time for intimacy and lots of laughs too. Your grown-up time will rejuvenate you, making you feel like an adult instead of a parent all the time.
7. Seek counselling help for parenting stress.
Parenting is full of ups and downs. There will be times when the parenting stress overpowers you, more than you can handle by yourself. It’s normal to experience a tense day once in a while, but you shouldn’t have to do your parenting in a high-pressure environment all the time. If your parenting stress becomes a regular occurrence, it might signify that you need professional guidance.
There are excellent counselling services designed to help you cope with parenting stress. Seek out a great counsellor that can teach you various stress management tips, skills, and strategies. You can apply the advice to your home life, which will reduce your parenting stress and anxiety effectively. Contact Kari Walton Counselling Services to set up an appointment today!