5 Strategies to Help Parents Manage Stress
“Your most valuable parenting skill is learning to manage yourself first.” — Dr. Laura Markham.
I’ve snapped a few times. Any parent reading this can probably relate.
Once, my then two-year-old raised his shoe, defying my instructions and insisting he stay home as we made our way to the grocery store. He pulled his arm back and released! Like a slingshot, the shoe pounding me with a shocking force that sent me running to the washroom, locking the door, and taking a few minutes to breathe, compose myself and quite frankly, doing everything in my power to not completely lose my sh*t.
Another time, my eleven-year-old broke my heart pressing why I could not be with him more — as opposed to being at work.
Two lightning bolt moments jolting me to acknowledge how much these little humans are independent and yet so connected to me.
This is one reason why mental health and for parents is critical. There are instances that can trigger you abruptly and it is imperative you are able to manage them appropriately. Of course, this is much easier said than done.
If I am being completely honest, when that shoe met me, it took A LOT for me to not smack my child. I would speculate many parents might…
