Relieve Stress for Anxious Parents
Raising a child is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It’s also one of the most stressful. Your little angel is always at risk from a long list of hypothetical dangers, whether it’s a piece of hard-to-chew candy, a busy roadway, or a sharp corner. Anxiety is just par for the course when you’re a parent.
8 Fast Ways to Relieve Stress for Anxious Parents
So what are a few ways you can relieve stress? The following eight tips will help you tame the tension.
1. Join a Support Group
When you’re an anxious parent, you can feel alone in your struggle even though you might intellectually realize you’re not. One of the best ways to beat anxiety-related loneliness is to join a support group for people with similar issues.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sit around a church basement if that isn’t your jam.
You can find a host of online support groups — experiment until you find a version suited for your needs. Some of them have daily meetings, while others gather only weekly or less often.
2. Have Family Fun Nights
Socializing IRL — in real life — is an ideal way to bust stress, mostly hanging out with other parents. However, in today’s COVID-19 world, you need to follow social distancing guidelines. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a small gathering, though.
The secret lies in the activities you plan. There are always trusty standbys like Cornhole but think outside the backyard barbecue box. It doesn’t take much extra effort to organize an ax-throwing night — but your guests will remember the fun for years.
3. Tackle Educational Matters
Maybe the back-to-school time has you feeling more anxious than usual. Your concerns are valid — some schools that have already returned have seen outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.
However, as a parent, you do have options. Why not get online and explore virtual schools in your region if the thought of your child attending traditional classes makes you nervous? With excellent public charters, you can select the one best for your unique needs.
If you decide to return to a traditional school, make sure you stock up on coronavirus supplies. You’ll need plenty of hand sanitizer and disposable masks.
4. Start Multiple College Savings Vehicles
One reason to consider buying a home is to help put your children through college — wait, what? It’s wise financial planning. Today’s current market interest rates for second mortgages often cost less over the long term than private student loans.
Another way to save for their education is to start a 529 savings plan. Nearly every state has some form of these accounts. They save you money on your tax bill while amassing a tidy sum toward future tuition.
5. Screen Your Sitters
You can’t supervise your children 24/7, at least not if you hope to keep some vestige of sanity by the time they turn 18. At some point, you’ll need to leave them with a sitter — and you’ll feel more secure doing so if you screen them thoroughly.
Safety expert Gavin de Becker advises informing your intuition by not shying away from challenging questions in the interview. Ask potential child care providers their opinions on drug use, and inquire if they ever suspected a child they worked with suffered abuse. They may appear shocked, but wise, thoughtful responses can put your mind at ease.
6. Teach Your Children Realistic Stranger Danger
You may have seen the episode of Oprah where actors demonstrate how simple it is to lure children away from a public park with a request to find a lost puppy. Teach your children realistic stranger-danger — not every adult is a potential bad guy, but asking a child for help isn’t appropriate.
Another tip for teaching your children is if they get lost to seek a female. While “go to a police officer” makes sense, how often have you seen one around when needed? Women are statistically less likely to be predators, and they can guide your child to the nearest help station.
7. Keep up With Your Child’s Checkup
Children can develop health trouble young — and tragically, if left undetected, these issues can haunt them later in life. Reaching age 18 with a hidden condition can lead to considerable expense, and there isn’t much financial assistance available for adults.
Make sure you visit your child’s doctor for all required visits. If they exhibit signs of illness, don’t assume they’re exaggerating their symptoms to get out of unwanted activities. Get them checked so your pediatrician can identify the cause and begin treatment.
8. Practice Self-Care Daily
It would help if you took the time for yourself daily. Adhere to a regular bedtime schedule for your children’s health and to give yourself time to unwind.
When the house gets quiet, lose yourself in a novel or a bubble bath. Waking up before your children practice yoga or meditation can also help you keep a positive mindset. Check out these great tips for self care.
Anxious Parents, Relieve Stress With These Eight Tips
Raising children can prove stressful in today’s world. Anxious parents can use these tips to tackle the tension.
