Parenting, for the most part, can be one of the most satisfying accomplishments in your life. But, not one “parenting expert” out there is going to tell you it’s an easy task.
All parents want to provide a healthy, happy and safe environment for their kids. This may be the goal, but the road getting to that goal can be rocky at times.
Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your thinking and that sometimes it’s okay to take a moment and “just breathe”.
Here are a few tips to consider:
• Call in reinforcements: If they are close by, call up the grandparents, aunties, uncles or your best friend. Schedule a sleepover so that family can enjoy your kids, while you enjoy a night of peace and quiet. Rest assured, the next day you will be ready and willing to hear the kids running around the house again.
• You are not a gourmet chef and that’s okay: Unless, of course, cooking is your thing and you enjoy doing it, it’s okay if you don’t want to spend hours on Sunday pre-cooking and planning family dinners for the week. Perhaps your partner enjoys spending time in the kitchen? Have you asked? Sharing the cooking duties is one way to keep stress out of meal planning. Consider having fresh veggies cut up, ready to- eat fruit, and some easy-to-make meals for the kids. Eating shouldn’t be stressful.
• Any time can be “Mom” time: We often think that Mom needs to be at a spa or sitting alone in a park with a good book to have her moment, but for many of us that just isn’t realistic. Take the time where you can get the time.
For example, listening to your favorite playlist while you are running errands, or blasting the tunes while you are vacuuming can also be your time. Or how about enjoying a fresh cup of coffee in your kitchen – no matter what state it’s in – just after the kids have left for school? It does not have to take much to give yourself a couple of minutes of “me” time.
