Parenting is always that juggling act. It’s not just about giving as much love as humanly possible, but it’s also about thriving in the chaos and learning what keeps you physically and mentally enduring.
We live in a world that demands even more, whether it’s constant availability via our emails or texts, endless expectations, perfect meals, and emotional stability. So therefore, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling short.
The truth is keeping our stresses and anxieties in check may seem like an impossible expectation, but while stress is built into the parenting experience, we need to remember how to manage it. Here’s a number of ways to stay grounded despite the storm you’re enduring.
Finding Calm Through Small and Personal Rituals
When life feels demanding, we tend to put our own needs last, but tiny rituals such as morning coffee in peace and quiet or some evening relaxation can create a sense of control among the swirling chaos.
For some, unwinding with herbal tea or aromatherapy works wonders, but others may choose to buy cannabis flowers in regions where it is legal and use them mindfully for relaxation. The key isn’t about what you choose, but whether the thing you are choosing helps you reconnect with yourself without guilt or overindulgence.
Redefining What Good Parenting Means
A lot of the time, it’s unrealistic standards that set the bar ever higher. Social media shows only moments of perfection, but real life, remember, is messy! The sooner we embrace the idea that good enough will do, the lighter the emotional load becomes.
A good parent isn’t someone who never snaps at their children, but it’s someone who snaps, but then realizes what they’ve done, apologizes, learns, and continues to show up. Nobody is perfect, so stop thinking that you’re not good enough.
Communicate Your Emotional Needs
Many parents think they need to appear strong and shield their kids from every single worry, but we need to model healthy emotional expression because this is what will teach resilience.
You may feel anxious and think you shouldn’t be talking about it because that’s not what you were taught to do as a child. We’re all human, and we need to tell our children in age-appropriate ways that growing up can get stressful too, and that actually taking a break or asking for help is something that shouldn’t just be welcomed, but is normal. Emotional honesty benefits everyone.
Reframe Stress as a Signal
Stress isn’t the final stage of poor routines or your inability to keep your emotions in check. Stress is a vital piece of information that tells you when your boundaries are being tested or your needs are ignored.
When you understand your triggers, you’ll be able to respond in the right way, and over time you can start to master stressful situations with more awareness and less frustration. This is not because life becomes easier, but you actually become more in tune with yourself in the process.
In the end, it’s not about completely eliminating stress, it’s just about managing it with some compassion and flexibility. Give yourself the same patience that you offer your children, and you’ll create a far more grounded home that keeps everybody, as well as yourself, in balance.
