It’s a stressful world out there, and these days more than ever there is so much pressure on parents to raise the perfect kids, have the perfect job and keep a perfect home all the while keeping a relaxed smile on your face. And while there isn’t much we can do about pressures coming from the outside, we can work to create a relaxed and low-stress environment in our lives and in our homes. If all of this seems too overwhelming to you, here are some parenting tips that might help you.

Take Care Of Yourself
The wisdom is true, you cannot pour from an empty vessel. In order to show up as your best self for your spouse, children, and at work, you must invest in the time to take care of yourself. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and taking time to de-stress with a hobby or exercise. You wouldn’t let your children run themselves ragged, and it’s not wise to do it to yourself either. Even spending 30 min with a cup of coffee and a good book before everyone in your household awakes can rejuvenate you and make you feel ready for the day.

Talk Openly With your Partner And Friends
Parental stresses are common, and while they affect everyone differently they are nonetheless pervasive and nothing to be ashamed about. Be open with your spouse and trusted friends about the stress in your life and work together to lessen it. You may learn some powerful parenting tips from those who have been down this road before.

Let Go Of Unreasonable Expectations
Even a list of parenting tips like this one can create a host of unreasonable expectations for you. It may be hard to imagine how to fit all these recommendations into your already busy life. Remember that your parenting journey is your own and you don’t need to spend any more time pursuing perfection. Read and research as much as you’d like to about parenting and take only the bits and pieces that will make your life better.

Limit Your Exposure To Stressors
Is your stress triggered by things in your environment? In these days of social media, 24-hour news cycles, and extremely high parenting expectations it’s difficult to get away from the external stressors that make you feel worse. Do yourself a favor: step away from your phone, turn off the television, and stop checking in on that mommy blogger’s perfect Instagram page. Those things only have as much power in your life as you give them.

Parenting is a journey, and everyone’s journey will be different. Make sure that you take time to enjoy each moment and do your best to eliminate added stress by trusting your instincts, protecting your sanity, and constantly seeking joy. If you’d like more parenting tips from us, or you’d like to join the St. Barnabas School community, contact us today.