Not all parents have the same parenting style, but if there’s one thing that is common for all parents, it’s the stress that comes with the role of a parent. Other than being detrimental to our well-being, parenting stress can also put a strain on family relationships and damage them.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, working parent, or a single parent, it pays to have an effective coping strategy that will help you combat the parenting stress. Here are our top six suggestions.
Get organized
This first one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how much time we spend because we aren’t organized. Starting your day by looking for keys, thinking about what to wear, or hectically preparing school lunches will only drain you and leave you feeling cranky for the entire day.
A more effective approach would be to prepare everything in advance. Lay out your clothes and make lunches the night before. Also, find a place to keep all your essentials like keys, phone, and wallet. That way, when you get up in the morning, you can simply grab everything and go – sans stress and worries.
Spend quality time with your kids
When it comes to spending time with family, many parents tend to think in terms of quantity. However, the amount of time you spend with your kids doesn’t necessarily equal quality time.
Think about it this way: would you rather spend a whole day with a parent who’s obviously stressed out and overwhelmed by work or would you rather enjoy a couple of hours with a parent who is relaxed and engaged, enjoying activities all of you like? Exactly.
Therefore, stop thinking about the quantity that much, and place more emphasis on quality. It can be something as simple as reading, cooking, or sharing a meal – as long as you all enjoy it, there’s no need to worry.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Even though some parents like to do everything on their own, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. If your child is struggling with certain subjects, but you don’t really have the time or skills to teach them, enrolling your child in an online tutoring program might be the best way to ensure they get the necessary learning support and keep up with their peers.
Whether your kid needs help with their English skills or has difficulties with math, with the help of an experienced tutor, your child can identify the knowledge gaps and fill them in, thus reaching their academic potential. On the plus side, you can relax and take some time for yourself knowing your child is in good hands.
Divide your household chores
Many parents think it’s solely up to them to maintain their household and make sure it’s spick and span. However, committing to too many things can have a detrimental impact on your mental and physical well-being.
If you feel like there’s too much on your plate, consider dividing up household chores. Assign your kids with chores appropriate for their age, and ask your spouse to help around, too. Kids can help set the table, while a spouse can shop for groceries, prepare dinner, or wash the dishes after the meal. Together, you’ll be conquering chores in no time.
Find some time for yourself
With so many things on their to-do lists, parents find it difficult to relax and take their minds off their duties. Of course, there will always be something that needs to be done. However, allowing yourself too little or no time to unwind can have a serious impact on your mental health.
And don’t think that taking a break makes you a bad parent. Engaging in self-care has nothing to do with being selfish – in fact, making some time just for yourself will be beneficial both for you and your family. Taking some time apart will do you all good while releasing stress will allow you to be a more loving and caring parent and spouse.
Focus on the good things
We all have those days when it’s hard to look on the bright side, especially when we’re surrounded by negativity and bad news. However, it’s important to be optimistic if we want our kids to embrace an optimistic outlook on life. Don’t try to protect your kids from failure all the time. Instead, teach them that mistakes are essential as they help us grow. Let them take risks, give them the freedom to explore, and try to focus on the positive things in your life without worrying too much. That’ the only way to maintain sanity as a parent and ensure a normal and healthy childhood for your kids.
Being a parent is one of the biggest blessings, but it’s also a role that comes with its own set of challenges. However, if we find a strategy that works for us and find solutions to our parenting problems, we can easily conquer the parenting stress and ensure a joyful, fun, and carefree childhood for our kids.
About the author:
Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.