Nothing is more rewarding than having children. They bring so much to our lives, give us hope, teach us patience, and show us what love really is. But parenting is often romanticized on TV and in our own minds. It’s not all flowers and rainbows! It comes with a lot of pressure, responsibility, and stress.
Parenting can make you feel isolated and alone. All of your parenting decisions are your own. It’s up to you to get it right. That alone can cause many parents to have a constant level of underlying stress. The guilt of making mistakes, the second guessing whether or not you’ve made the right decisions, and the general focus on another person instead of yourself can cause your stress levels to rise.
Studies show that parents have higher stress levels than non-parents. Single parents have even higher levels, and so do parents of adult children. Surprisingly, the parents worry more and have more stress about their children after they are all grown up!
Needless to say, managing stress should be a priority in all parents’ lives. The first problem that researchers say we should take care of is isolation. Families are often off at work and not spending all day with each other. We don’t have time to sit and talk with other parents in the family, neighbors and friends. Being rushed and wishing you were somewhere else adds a lot of stress to your life.
Create a social network of people who support you. It can be just a minute or two a day. Use social networking sites, your cell phone, whatever you can to connect with other parents. Talk about parenting and the mistakes that you’ve made. Sometimes getting that “bad Mom moment” off of your chest allows you to look at it more logically. Hearing about other parents’ mistakes makes you realize that you’re not alone. Being part of a network of friends that listen without judging and help each other grow is an important step in handling stress long term.
The next step is to get the things that you can control under control. Time management and organization are a parent’s best friends! Following a regular cleaning routine can actually be therapeutic and as stress reducing as yoga or other relaxation techniques. Some parents play classical music and relax as they clean and others play dance music and get some exercise in while doing their daily chores. The kids can get involved and cleaning time can actually become family time.
Getting things organized so that your day runs more smoothly will help you to manage stress and prepare you for dealing with bigger issues as they arise. Get the kids involved in keeping their own rooms organized as well. Offer rewards instead of punishments. Make it easy for them by supplying them with labeled containers, a laundry basket, a waste basket, and other child-friendly items. Little hands work better with infant hangers, baby hangers, or children’s hangers. Make everything accessible for them and brag on every little thing that they do to help you manage your stress levels.
Remember to take a little time for yourself and work stress management techniques into your day. Having children can add some stress to your life, but it also adds a lot of positivity! Concentrate on your successes, reward yourself, and enjoy having children in your life.
About the Author: Kurt Adams is on the staff of Only Kids Hangers, a leading provider of infant hangers. The right baby hangers, like wooden baby hangers and children’s coat hangers, keep baby clothers organized and children’s hangers are great for retail stores.
