S2-E15: The Overwhelmed Parent

We’ve all been there; the 6am alarm that is the sound of your little one’s footsteps running into your bedroom awakens you and boom, the day has begun! Time to get those eggs scrambled while simultaneously packing lunches and staring at the laundry that needs to be folded. Don’t forget, soccer practice after school which means cleats need to be packed and ready to go! Oh, and you’re the “secret reader” at preschool today so you better find that perfect book to bring. Remember to factor in your pumping schedule for your baby who just started daycare. Whew! At last, you have teeth brushed, bellies fed, and you’re all ready to get in the car. Naturally, as you’re pulling out of the driveway you realize that everyone is still in their pajamas. “Please can it be pajama day at school!” you think to yourself. Again, we have all been there. Welcome to the life of the overwhelmed parent.

Being overwhelmed comes with the parent title. It is inevitable. Whether you are working or stay at home, there are so many layers to being a parent that sometimes we struggle to come up for air. While we can’t clone ourselves just yet, there are things we can do to make that overwhelmed feeling a little less… overwhelming.

While having a schedule is great, sometimes as parents we tend to over schedule. With an overly packed day of playdates and after school activities, our stress level is through the roof. Using a calendar so you can visually see your day is incredibly helpful! And as we have always said before, it is okay to say no or to cancel. When you’re a parent you get a pass!

Many times the overwhelmed feeling creeps in when we aren’t prepared. We know we have a busy day or week ahead of us but we don’t do anything to fully prep for it. Taking 30 minutes before your head hits the pillow to pick out clothes and pack lunches makes mornings so much easier! Also, having the coffee set and ready to brew first thing in the morning is such a pleasant way to wake up in the morning! Your kids jumping on you at 6am is much more enjoyable when its paired with the smell of freshly brewed coffee waiting for you.

Asking for help can be a challenging for some moms (currently raising my hand while typing). We want it all and we want to do it all ourselves. Doing everything and feeling stressed and angry about it doesn’t make you a superhero, but recognizing you need a Robin to your Batman (or shall we say Batwoman) does.

Cut yourself a break and prioritize. If there are things that must get done in a specific timeframe, focus on those tasks and save the rest for another day. At the end of the day, the most important thing is family. Our kids grow up so fast that we don’t want to live an overwhelmed life on a daily basis that we miss out on those moments.

Tips

• Lavender Oil

  Lavender Oil is great for stress. Apply a little on your wrists and the smell is just so soothing.

• Write it down

  Keep your calendar updated and shared with your spouse so you are on the same page of what needs to be done and who needs to be where! Also writing down to-do lists help keep you focused on what needs to be prioritized.

• Take a deep breath

  When our kids get worked up we always tell them to take a deep breath, we need to do the same. Give yourself a moment to do some square breathing which is a technique used when taking slow, deep breaths.