8 ways to handle mummy stress
Mummy stress is real. It’s a thing, and don’t let anyone ever tell you it’s not. It’s not set to one specific period of motherhood, it just changes as your kids grow up! Whether you’re worried about your baby’s sleeping patterns, your toddler’s tantrums, or your teenager’s whereabouts, mum stress exists in all aspects of motherhood an is just something that comes with the job (however we’re not so sure its very well explained in the job description!)
Whatever stage you’re at, we get it. So in order to help you control it, to ease it and to regulate it here are some tips for all you wonderful saints, I mean mothers, out there.
1. Sit down.
Once the kids are off to crèche or school, or the baby has been fed and is napping, sit down and rest. Have a cup of tea/coffee and read a magazine or your book on the couch. Leave the washing up or the dirty laundry (believe us it’s actually not that hard!) and sit. Still. Five minutes to drink a cup of tea and read a few pages of a book or magazine won’t make any difference to what you would have achieved anyway by the end of the day.
2. Write a list.
Writing your thoughts down and getting them out of your head is a very underrated but hugely beneficial act when you’re mind is overflowing with tasks you have to complete. But remember, some tasks don’t have to be done. So leave a star beside ones that are more important, and try not to worry if you didn’t get the others done as well. There will be more days in the week.
3. Set a bedtime for your children.
This will mean that at a certain time of the night you can now focus on yourself. Getting your little ones into bed by a certain time will benefit both of you. Then you and your partner will know that after 7/8/9, the hours on the clock are yours. (Until you both pass out from fatigue!) This time can allow you to chat about your day with your partner, call your sister/brother/mum/dad or best friend or sit on the couch to watch your favourite movie/TV show.
4. Get a babysitter.
This is important for you, as an individual and as a couple if you have a partner. Getting to leave the house without your child will seem like an adventure never experienced before! (or not that you can recently remember anyway) Getting to spend time with your loved one on a date, or to go out for dinner with the girls will balance you out, and allow you to reconnect with those people you may not get to spend as much time with as you’d like.
5. Leave the mess.
There are going to be some days where lists are the last thing on your mind and even the thought of getting a night to yourself seems like something that will maybe happen in about twenty years? On these days, leave the mess. Don’t pressure yourself, just do what you can and work with that day as it comes.
6. Go for a walk.
Walk your dog, walk your partner, or go alone. Taking half an hour in the evenings to clear your head and have some me time will do you the world of good. It’s also a way to keep fit and healthy, if you need an excuse to burst out of the house!
7. Talk to your mum, sister, aunty or friend who has kids.
Listening to their words of wisdom and empathy for your crayon scribbled walls, your mountainous pile of laundry or your mound of paper work will probably result in laughing and tears, and laughing again. It’s all good!
8. Lastly, don’t be hard on yourself.
Simple as. Give yourself a break. You’re a devoted mother, you’re already doing fabulous.
maternity&infant
Originally posted 2015-04-21 15:14:35.