This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

10 Tips for Stress Free Parenting

The day-to-day stress of parenting can be overwhelming. As much as we love our children, the temper tantrums, fussiness, and overall just not knowing what our kids are trying to tell us can get the best of us. A parent’s ability to manage their own stress is the second most powerful predictor of their children’s well-being. When frustration and stress build up, parents tend to neglect their own needs. Here are some tips to help parents figure out the balance between meeting their kids’ needs and meeting their own needs:

  1. Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to yourself first thing in the morning to relax in a quiet environment. Try closing your eyes and relaxing the muscles in your body.
  2. Reduce negative self-talk in your life. Stop saying, “I can’t do this.” Instead say, “I can.” Remind yourself of all that you’ve accomplished just bringing a life into the world.
  3. As much as possible, try to get a full night of rest. Good sleep is good for your immune system and overall health, which will help you tackle all of the challenges of your daily routine with the little ones!
  4. Create a to-do list to organize your thoughts and help you decide where to begin. A bonus is the really good feeling of crossing something off your list!
  5. Strive for open communication with your partner including sharing how you are feeling when you are stressed and overwhelmed. Let your partner know how they can be helpful.
  6. Exercise will help release your stress, release endorphins, and enhance your mood. Parents can introduce exercise as a family activity through walks together or mommy-and-me yoga.
  7. When you feel heated, try to take a deep breath or count to ten to reduce tension.
  8. Find humor in the chaos of your day. Laughter helps release tension in your body and strengthens your immune system.
  9. Set realistic expectations. You are probably trying to juggle a lot of tasks at once. Accepting that you don’t need to be perfect can be a huge relief. Modeling self-compassion in front of children is one of the most powerful ways to help them develop this skill for themselves.
  10. Hug your children often! Sensory activities such as rocking, singing, and feeding help reduce stress for both parent and baby.

Denise Thiel is a contributor to Parent Universe.  For more information, visit www.ParentUniverse.org  or www.facebook.com/ParentUniverse.


Find out what's happening in South Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?