How You Can Reduce Everyday Stress When You’re Parenting Young Kids
No one enjoys being stressed, but it’s something we all have to deal with at times (especially when you’re a parent, there always seems to be something going on). It’s never even usually the big things that are the problem; it’s the daily stresses that all add up and can leave you feeling totally frazzled and overwhelmed at the end of the day. Then, when you’re exhausted and probably a bit grumpy, you can end up feeling guilty that you’re not always the happy parent you want to be. For this reason, it’s really important to take steps to keep those little stresses down and be able to deal with them in a healthy way.
Stay organised
A lot of stress can be avoided when you’re staying organised. One of the best ways to do this is to put everything on a calendar. If you’re using a digital calendar on your phone or computer, then be sure to set up alerts that notify you of the event beforehand, as well as a second reminder just before or at the time of the event. That way, you’re never accidentally forgetting to be somewhere you need to be or do something you need to do.
Getting organised can mean planning as much as you can in advance. For example, if you know your kids are at school friends’ birthday parties every other weekend, buy a load of cards, gift bags and generic presents/ sweets in advance so you can put together a gift without having to make a special trip to the shops each time.
If a lot of your stress revolves around mealtimes, then getting organised with a well-stocked pantry and a meal plan each week can help a lot. Have a little think about what issues tend to crop up that cause the little stresses, and then you can plan for making them easier.
Take time for yourself
As a parent of young kids, you’re never going to have lots of time to luxuriate and relax and indulge in your hobbies and interests. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on yourself completely. If you and your partner can tag team, then agreeing to one person sleeping in on Saturday and the other on Sunday gives you a morning each to catch up on sleep.
Or it could be something as simple as having a pampering bubble bath at night when the kids are in bed, or an hour to watch a series with some cbd edibles to relax after a long day.
If you’re ever lucky enough to have childcare help from family and friends, make the most of it and plan something fun for yourself. These little treats can really fill your cup and make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Be realistic
Finally, being realistic about what life with little kids looks like can help. Stay off social media if you find yourself comparing yourself to influencers with seemingly perfect homes and lives; it’s mostly not real anyway. Sometimes the house is messy and the kids play up; it doesn’t always (if ever) look like a curated highlight reel! Having the right expectations can help you keep your stress in check.
This is a collaborative post.
