Dealing With Those Times When Parenting Is Stressful ♥

As every parent out there will probably say, parenting is stressful—so much so that it can even lead to a some people to cross over the breaking point. I've spoken before about things I find difficult as a parent, and there's probably a whole lot more on top of that too. Whether you are taking care of your kids, trying to make time for other aspects of your house, or experiencing a big change such as moving house or switching jobs, you need to manage your stress accordingly. Easier said than done, of course, but being able to cope with the stress is about maintaining a balance.

However, during these times of parental stress, there are a few things you can do to stay calm and sane. Some of these things might seem simple, but they are actually very difficult to do. When you’re tired and feeling burnt out, it can be easy to overlook these important steps, but once you do, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your stress and feeling a whole lot happier too.

Establish your support systems

First things first, don’t forget that you are not alone. You have your family, friends, neighbours (if you're friendly with them), coworkers, babysitting agency and everyone else in your network. Setting up support systems early on will make your life as a parent much easier down the line.

Don’t be afraid to accept help when it’s offered and also to ask for help when you need it! Everyone needs help eventually and if people weren't willing to help, they wouldn’t make these offers to do so. Not only will getting support from people close to you relieve a significant amount of stress, you’ll hopefully strengthen your relationship with them too and that's always a positive thing.

Spend some time having fun

With all the things going on in your life, it’s easy to overlook the importance of having fun. Remember that having fun with your kids is one of the perks of being a parent! Remember that these small bundles of joy can really make you smile and are reminders of your love and dedication.

Try to take the time to do activities that the whole family can enjoy. Having a meal at a nice restaurant, spending thirty minutes at a nearby park, going on a quick weekend getaway, or even just having a movie night in—there are so many fun things you can do. Having quality and fun time together will only make your family more of a close-knit unit.

Embrace organisation

The home environment is often overlooked as the cause of stress in our lives. If you are running late everyday because you have trouble preparing breakfast or getting your kids ready on time, you’re probably feeling more stress than necessary. If cleaning seems so daunting that you just put it off, then your home is not helping your stress levels.

This is where organisation comes in. Implement systems and processes in your home to make your life much easier. These systems can range from the very small and simple to larger, complex ones. For example, perhaps it’s a good idea to have a weekday morning routine that is more efficient. Or maybe all you need is something as simple as organising your home office in a clean and logical way. The spaces we're in can really contribute to our mood, so having a clean, tidy and organised space can help us feel less stressed and happier. I highly recommend buying tons of storage for the kids toys and books!

Make sure to eat healthily

This one is vital. Don’t forget to eat healthily! Ditch the junk and takeaway foods—even though they are convenient (and quite tasty too!), they only harm your health. Eating wholesome foods as much as possible will keep your body and mind on an optimal level.

Try to use the organisation systems mentioned above to free up time for preparing food when you can. Cutting fruits and veggies beforehand will take away a lot of the steps when cooking—prepping is usually around half of the process! Also, it’s worth considering planning your meals so you eat healthily and don’t overspend.

Get some assistance

Sometimes, spending some money to make your life easier is worth it. Usually, paying for outside help is only used as a last resort if your support system is unavailable. Despite this, the advantages of getting assistance from someone else will sometimes outweigh the costs.

Hiring a cleaning service once a month can save you the stress of doing the regular deep clean yourself and this is something I'm greatly considering. To free up time for yourself, you can hire a babysitter if you just need some 'me time' and if you are stressed due to a big change, get assistance that specialises in these areas. Some examples are professional movers when moving house or training programs at your workplace for a career change. 

Hopefully this post will be helpful to anyone who's dealing with stress in their lives at the moment. It's something I struggle with a lot and something which I'm trying to eradicate from my life so that I can be a happier, more positive parent to my boys.