6 Quick Tips To Reduce Mommy Stress

Parenting is hard work; too much stress makes it harder
Parenting is rewarding, parenting is a gift, and parenting is one of the hardest jobs on the planet! The title says mommy stress, but this is about reducing stress for every parent, that’s right, dads, you deserve a helping hand too!

Since you’re most likely reading this during a rare two-second moment of peace, let’s cut right to the chase. Here are 6 quick tips that you can use to start reducing the amount of stress in your life because too much stress leads to a host of side-effects that aren’t good for you or your kids.

Give these 6 strategies a try to help reduce stress and anxiety:

• Chores: Divide and Conquer — Okay, so if you’ve shied away from giving your kids chores in the past, it’s never too late to implement a new plan. Depending on the age of your children, assign appropriate tasks that they can do reasonably well. Be prepared for things to not get done right in the beginning; you have to be willing to relinquish some control if you want to ultimately reap the benefits. Giving your kids chores not only gives you a helping hand, but it teaches them important life skills and responsibility at the same time.

• Pick Your Battles — When your child does something that makes you want to launch into crazed-momma mode; take a moment to breathe. Ask yourself, in the grand scheme of things, how big of a deal is this? Many times, if you take a moment to look at things from your children’s point of view, you’ll realize that your initial reaction might be a bit of an overreaction. The odds are good that your child didn’t dump over his whole glass of milk on purpose just to make your life super difficult. More than likely, it was an accident and you can simply hand him a paper towel and use it as a teachable moment. The whole situation can be resolved in a positive way in a matter of seconds, instead of turning it into a fit of rage that escalates into a monumental tragedy.

• Give Yourself a Time-Out — It’s an oldie but a goodie; take a deep breath, close your eyes, and count out loud to ten. This reframes your mind, gives you a quick distraction from the situation, and allows you to calm down before you react. You may also want to think about keeping a “mommy journal,” like this one; to reflect on those special moments with your children and remember the positives in times of chaos.

• Stick To the Sunny Side — Things will go wrong. To put it eloquently, “S*it happens.” It’s this thing called life. You cannot control everything, you can’t control other people (including your kids, believe it or not), and you cannot control the events that will happen — but, you can control how you react to others and different situations. If for nothing else, remember this, your children are always watching, and they learn how to react to situations from you. How do you want them to handle tough times?

• Take Care of You — Yes, yes, yes! This one is easier said than done, and everyone knows it’s important, but many of us don’t do it! Try to eat healthy, exercise, meditate, sleep, whatever it takes to make yourself the best you that you can be. Whether it’s cranking up the music and dancing through your living room, enjoying the many benefits of a walk, or whatever else tickles your fancy, just move your body and fuel it with nutritious foods as much as you can! I’m not saying you can never have a milkshake again, or you can’t binge-watch your favorite show on Netflix, just let yourself do something good for you every day. Maybe that’s indulging in a bubble bath ( I LOVE Dr. Teal’s) and try to go to bed at a somewhat reasonable time. Sleep deprivation is no joke; it can lead to more stress, decreased performance, and a host of health issues.

• Don’t Be Too Proud –– Be proud of your amazing kids, be proud of how you’re able to keep other human beings alive and healthy, but don’t be too proud to ask for help when you need it! Believe it or not, we were not meant to parent alone. You’ve heard the phrase, “It takes a village,” right? It literally comes from the fact that in certain areas, when someone has a baby, the entire village chips in to help, not just the immediate family. You need to build your own village of friends, family, babysitters, a therapist, whatever works for you and your family. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out It’s Okay To Say You’re Not Okay!

There you have it, six quick tips to keep in mind to hopefully reduce some of the stress that you’re feeling. If anything, remember that your kids sense how you feel, so if you’re stressed and anxious, then they are going to feel the same way (and act accordingly). So, deep breaths, and when all else fails, there’s always wine…or that milkshake…just in moderation. 😉

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