#10 Eat Healthy and Exercise! When you take care of yourself and your body, you are not only setting a great example for your children, but you are also maintaining your physical health which is sure to reduce your stress level.#9 Plan ahead! Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today. By completing chores such as packing school lunches, unloading the dishwasher, and setting out clothes the night before; you can save yourself time and stress during the morning rush. Another tip is to create a weekly meal plan and stick to it. This takes the guess work out of planning dinner and it can save time and money.
#8 Enlist Help! Having your children complete age appropriate chores will teach them responsibility while also taking some pressure off of you. Teaching your children to help in small ways can lead to big rewards!
#7 Seek out mom-to-mom support! Talking to other moms about common issues, that all moms face, will help you to feel connected and allow you to know that you are not alone! If you are too busy to schedule ‘play dates’, you can always find online resources to network with other moms. (You’re reading this blog, so you’re obviously off to a great start!) Another great online resource is http://www.advice4parenting.com/
#6 Learn to say “no”! As woman we often have the need to please everyone – our kids, our spouses, our bosses, our friends, our neighbors, and almost anyone else we know. It is unrealistic and impossible for people to expect you to volunteer for every little PTA event at your child’s school while maintaining a household and a full time job. You will find that no one will condemn you for saying “no” – quite the contrary, they will respect you for respecting yourself!
#5 Be a good bookkeeper! For a busy mom it is imperative to keep a schedule or a planner. Whether you keep a calendar tucked away in your purse or have your whole life programmed into your phone, being a good bookkeeper will do wonders for your sanity.
#4 Routines, routines, routines! Children need routines. It helps them to feel safe and secure when they know what to expect. Set up routines around daily activities such as morning routines, dinner routines, homework routines, and bed-time routines – you will see your children thrive!
#3 Get enough sleep! Not getting enough sleep is related to higher stress levels and can leave you feeling irritable and burnt out. By sleeping 7-9 hours a night, you can wake feeling rested and ready to face the day.
#2 Solicit Spousal Support! Mothers sometimes overlook their most valuable resource in times of stress – their husband! Husbands are usually more than willing to pitch in and help out where help is needed. But your husband is not telepathic and will typically not know what you need unless you ask. If you’re a single mother, seek support from a sister, parent, or best friend.
#1 Make time for yourself! If you take nothing else from this article, just know that carving out small chunks of time to nurture yourself is so important! It gives you an opportunity to “re-charge” and relax. By setting aside time to read a book, go shopping, or get a pedicure, you will reduce your stress and help ensure that you are giving 100% to you family when you are with them. Your family will thank you for it!
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