Parenting is Tough!
There’s no denying that parenting is one of the most stressful jobs in the world! While it is ALSO one of the most rewarding, it can sometimes feel next to impossible to get through those challenging, trying moments. It doesn’t matter what age your children are. You’ll always have periods that are more stressful than others. Even when they’re grown, you’ll still worry about them.
No matter what stage of parenting you’re in, it’s important to know how to cope with stress. You might not be able to avoid it completely. But there are things you can do to make it more manageable while prioritizing your well-being. Let’s look at five tips you can use to cope with parenting stress and take care of yourself.
1. Don’t Ignore Your Stress
As a parent, you might try to push your feelings under the rug or “ignore” them. After all, you have other people to care for and too much to do, right? Unfortunately, that only works for so long. Emotions will always demand to be felt. The longer you ignore them—especially stress—the worse it’s likely to become. Acknowledge your feelings, and you’ll be more likely to take action when it comes to dealing with them.
2. Practice Self-Care
You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re stressed and burnt out, you’re not going to be able to care for your family the way you want to. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. Take the time to prioritize sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise. Socialize with friends and family members, and spend a little time away from your kids now and then. When you take better care of yourself, you’ll end up taking better care of your family. Partnering with a therapist can be an effective way to find simple tricks to squeeze in self-care.
3. Find Ways to De-Stress
There are plenty of stress-reducing techniques that can help you on a daily basis. Things like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are all great ways to get started. Even simple deep breathing exercises can make a difference in your stress levels and can be done almost anywhere at any time. Working with a therapist to learn some stress-managing hacks will benefit you…..and your children!
4. Focus On Gratitude
When things feel overwhelming and difficult, try focusing on everything you have to be grateful for. Adopting an “attitude of gratitude” can make those stressful moments less impossible to get through. It’s a great way to de-escalate overwhelming situations. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, and focus on jotting down whatever you’re thankful for when it comes to your children and family. It will give you something to look back on and appreciate when things are challenging.
5. Don’t Do it Alone
Lean on your support system to deal with the stress that comes from parenting. That includes your partner/co-parent, other family members, or even a mental health professional. You don’t have to do everything on your own, and you don’t have to sit on the back burner with your feelings.
Your support system will lift you up in more ways than one. Being able to talk to someone about how you’re feeling will make a big difference. You might be surprised how much better you’ll feel after simply “venting” about your stress. The people in your life can also take action to help you out. Maybe someone could watch the kids for a while or run errands for you one day. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Ignoring stress won’t make it better
Don’t be ashamed to put your needs first for a change. Parenting is never easy, but if you’re dealing with overwhelming stress, it could be a sign of something deeper going on. If you’re really struggling with stress and you’re not sure how to cope, consider reaching out to a professional.
Text or call the Wellness Matters Intake Coordinator at 218-616-1276 to set up an appointment with a parenting-support specialist. Gaining support sooner rather than later is always a better option!
