Becoming a stress-free parent is not an unattainable dream. Sure, kids can get to you. They don’t listen. They leave messes everywhere. They refuse to eat their greens. The school playground becomes the ultimate battlefield, where parents and children test their wits. But, the cuddles, the “I love you” and the pride that you feel, as a parent, overshadows all of this.
Work, chores, being a parent and finding the time to still be your person can be stressful. It’s okay to feel emotional.
But, if you find that you are more stressed with external forces than with your kid’s behaviour, it’s time to learn how to cope with this. After all, calm parents result in happy kids.
It’s time to learn how to become a stress-free parent.
Take Some Time for You
Yes, really. You don’t have to be at your kid’s beck and call all of the time. You are allowed a break. Ask a friend or a babysitter to have the kids for a couple of hours a week. Go to the cinema. Eat-out. Make time to read a book. All of these things are important for you to a person. You need to take care of yourself as well as your kids. Make sure that you have at least a couple of hours to make time for you and your interests. Of course, you don’t want to be away from them all of the time. But, having some alone time is normal. And there is certainly no need to feel guilty about.
Ditch the Chores for One Day
The washing isn’t going anywhere. The vacuuming can be left for another day. When the kids are in bed, you don’t have to turn into a fairy mop mother or father. Take the time to relax. Put the television on. Have a bath. Indulge in some DIY spa treatments. Invest in a Zyllion ZMA-14-BK. A massager can prove to be an enormous stress relief. Whatever you want to do while the kids are in bed. Do it. You don’t have to be Cinderella. You’ll feel happier and more content for doing so.
Think About How You Handle Situations
Kids are notorious for picking up on a person’s negative mood. As their parent, you are their prime target. But, you need to consider how you handle the situation. If your child is misbehaving, you may automatically yell at them. Yelling does not resolve a situation and is a sign that you are stressed. Calmly explain why they are wrong. Put them on a naughty step or give them time out. For older kids, taking away a beloved toy is a good way of getting them to tow the line. But, you don’t want to yell and create a culture of fear in your home. On the contrary, you need to have a loving, communicative environment. By doing this, you can make sure that your kids are happy and healthy.
Get the Kids Involved
If you feel that you do everything around the home, get them to help. Assign tasks and chores and put them on a schedule on the fridge. Tick of the jobs when they are done. Reward them with a sticker or a hug. Even the small things can make a big difference to a stressed parent.
