FollowLearn These Coping Strategies for Parents That Are Reliable
Even parents with the means to provide everything that a child would need, stress factors exist. A child could be ill, or not doing well in school, or being bullied. Reliable coping strategies for parents help relieve pressure and prevent burnout. If stress levels are consistently high, sometimes mental and physical illnesses for the parent(s) can arise.
Parents with children with disabilities score higher on the Stress Index levels and need coping strategies that are reliable, even more so than parents of children without disabilities.
Here are some tried and tested coping strategies any parent can try.
Fun Time with the Kids
The value of playing for fun is unfortunately sometimes lost as kids are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities that look good on a resume. Playing instruments, choral practice, chess training and other similar activities are just a few examples. All this extra-curricular activity leaves little room for parents to have fun with their kids.
A parent should take time to invent and play non-competitive games for fun. Catch, Hide and Seek or tossing a Frisbee around, strengthens the bond between the parent(s) and the child and are fun to play. These games are easy to learn and are a great way to burn energy and blow off steam.
Set Aside Personal Time
Parenting chores can be very time consuming, and it can be very easy to get tied up in parenting chores all day. Some days parents barely have time for eating or personal hygiene. A parent must learn to set aside time for personal needs without feeling guilty.
If the other parent is available, he/she should take over to allow the other to rest. Make sure to set aside at least 20 minutes of personal time per day to relax, bathe or even listen to a favorite tune.
Physical Exercise
While parenting chores can be engaging, they do not exercise the body enough in the right manner. Health experts recommend at least 90 minutes of exercise per week. Whenever possible, a parent can leave the child in someone else’s care and take the time to exercise. A simple brisk walk around the neighborhood is adequate. Exercising has physical and mental benefits, such as reducing stress levels and helping to manage weight.
Setup Support Systems
Humans are social animals. Parents can become so involved in parenting that they become isolated from their social circles. It is important to maintain these links. Talking to a friend about life in general or parenting challenges can be very therapeutic. Social media network interactions are a good alternative if the parent is not able to leave the house and chat with a friend in person.
Seek Professional Help
A parent should not fear to seek professional help when they feel overwhelmed. Speaking with a mental health expert is an effective coping strategy for parents who may have children than need a high-level of care. These coping strategies for parents should relieve some of the pressure and stress that can occur when parenting children of all ages and abilities.
What do you do to relieve the stress that comes from parenting?
