The good news, however, is that no
matter how hard it may be, with a few strategies and a shift in perspective, it
is possible to be a happy parent.
Here is the experts’ advice:
1) Connect with
your kid.
Between
rushed mornings, shuttling to activities, and resolving sibling squabbles,
parenting can often feel like pure drudgery. Although the natural thing is to
want time away from your kids, but the result can make you even more
disconnected from them and increase the struggles. It is essential to carve out
quality time with our children, even if it is just a few minutes daily.
2) Be proactive.
If
you know you tend to snap at your kids at certain times of the day, find ways
to set yourself up for success so you don’t lost it. Plan ahead and think of
ways to avoid potential trials.
3) Stop yelling.
Even
if you are prone to yelling or raising your voice when frustration sets in, you
can retrain yourself to speak quietly and in a gentler tone. It will help your
physical state and be more beneficial in the long run. Breathe, walk away,
regroup, and remind yourself that yelling will not solve the problem faster, in
fact it will likely increase the tension.
4) Be kind to
yourself.
One
of the best ways to be a happy person and parent is to take care of you. Accept
your mistakes, use positive self-talk, and be your own cheerleader!
5) Nix the guilt.
Laying
on the guilt only increases your stress level and makes you react negatively to
your child. Erase the word ‘should’ from your vocabulary.
6) Rate your
stress.
Throughout
your day, stop and think about your level of stress on a scale of 1-10 and do
something to correct it. The solution is different for everyone, maybe it is a
phone conversation with a family member or friend, a workout at the gym or
walk, or meditation.
7) Be grateful.
Although
it is probably not going to help in the moment when your child is pushing your
buttons, studies show a regular practice of gratitude is the key to happiness.
Keep a gratitude journal, write your child a thank you note for a good deed, or
thank your higher power for all the good things in your life! We all have more
blessings than we often acknowledge.
8) Let it go.
It
is okay to say no sometimes. If you are spending all your time volunteering, it
can leave you feeling depleted. Pick a few things that are worthy of your
valuable time and delegate or outsource the rest.
9) Get some retail
therapy.
While
this is not a great long-term solution, a quick trip to the store can brighten
one’s day (as long as it is within your budget!).
10) Make time for each other.
It has been said the best thing two
parents can give their children is the example of a happy, healthy relationship.
Make time for your significant other, it will reap huge dividends for the whole
family!
-Dr.
Paula Sissel
Garden
County Schools
Superintendent/Elementary
Principal