The stress of being a parent can be overwhelming.
The first few years are the hardest (or is it the teen years?), but it’s not always easy to know what works and what doesn’t. There’s no one size fits all approach for parenting, so you have to find out what works best for you and your family. In this blog post, we’ll share 8 simple tips for overwhelmed parents that may help reduce your stress levels as a mom (or dad).
But first, let’s take a quick look at what happens to kids when parents aren’t able to give them the support they need.
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How Children Respond When Parents Don’t Give Them Attention
Parents are clearly busy and have a ton of responsibilities – doing all the things. This is unavoidable and part of being a mom or dad. However, kids may feel sad, angry, or even depressed when parents aren’t able to give them care and attention. Children thrive on their parent’s love and care, so when they are deprived of it, they may feel that something is wrong.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t have as much time to spend with your kids as you would like.
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I understand. We have 4 kids and our oldest was 6 when our youngest child was born. As much as I love being a mom, I often felt exhausted, like there weren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I wanted with them.
With jobs, relationships, extended family, and friends vying for our attention, it can be tough to balance everything. However, making the effort to pay full attention to your children whenever possible goes a long way. Putting down your phone and giving them your complete attention can help them feel secure and cared for, which is how they will go into the world when they get older.
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How To Show Your Support as a Parent Even if You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
It’s hard to give your child attention when you’re feeling overwhelmed and/or exhausted. But children need love and care to be well-adjusted and feel secure. They will sometimes feel sad or act out if they don’t get the attention they need.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult. You can be a great parent even if you feel pulled in many different directions.
Making even a small effort can go a long way toward making kids feel secure and loved. Here are 8 tips on how you can show your support as a parent, even if you’re feeling overwhelmed:
1. Give what you can.
Offer what you can give. Don’t feel guilty about your limitations, but be proactive to take steps to increase the time that you spend with them.
10 Tips To Be Less Overwhelmed Video
Here’s a quick video with 10 hacks to be less overwhelmed as a mom.
2. Set boundaries.
Consider saying no to commitments that are not important or which are really draining. Setting healthy boundaries is good for yourself and your child.
3. Give them a hug.
Giving your kids a hug and a smile, even for a minute is a good reminder that you love and care for them. Plus, you’ll experience the wonderful benefits of hugs.
4. Reflect instead of react.
Reflect how you think they might be feeling back to them. Try to hear their heart.
For example, when your 3-year-old is throwing a tantrum and doesn’t want to pick up his toys you might say this: “Wow, it seems like you’re really mad that we have to clean up the toys. Toys are fun and I know you want to play more.”
Learn about the 7 parenting myths.
5. Listen to their heart.
Avoid correcting how they are talking about how they feel or what happened, even if it’s hurtful. Just listen with an open mind and heart without being critical of how they’re feeling about their experience.
Using the following formula can help: I feel ______ when ______. I need _______. If your kids are older like ours, it might get a giggle or two, but I try to use this with them (and for myself too) and it encourages everyone to express how they’re feeling.
RELATED: 20 4-Year-Old Math Activities To Help Them Fall In Love With Numbers
6. Have fun!
Find a way to have fun together, even if it’s going for a quick walk, playing a board game, or allowing your child to help you prepare a simple meal.
RELATED: 80+ Super Fun Hands-On Preschool Learning Activities
7. Practice downtime.
Try to sit down and take a break with them, even if you can’t spend as much time as you’d like with them. Read one of their favorite books or play a game of tic tac toe.
8. Care for yourself.
Be sure to take care of yourself too! Getting enough sleep and eating well will help you be your best for them.
Printable Self-Care Calendar
Check out our Self-Care Calendar printable in our Thrive Berry Etsy shop!
Making your wellness a priority is important, and having a plan can help you stay on top of your game. We all know that it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everyday life, so taking time for ourselves or doing something nice for others is often put on the back burner.
We created this printable with those things in mind!
RELATED: 11 Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms: Why Taking Care of Yourself Is Important
Summary: Tips for Overwhelmed Parents
It can be challenging to provide a child with the time and attention they need when you’re feeling overwhelmed, but kids thrive on love and care from their parents. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult. You can take small steps each day in order to show your support as a parent even if you’re feeling exhausted or stress-inducing situations arise.
Making an effort goes beyond just giving them hugs and smiles; reflecting how they may feel back while listening without criticism also provides important reassurance for children’s emotional well-being.
So try not to feel guilty about not having enough time! You can make a difference in your child’s life by simply being present and by sharing a few minutes with them. You’ve got this!
For more ways to stay healthy and well while being a mom (or dad), check out our printables in our Thrive Berry Etsy shop!
Have any tips for overwhelmed parents that you can add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share in the comments below so we can learn from each other!
