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Posted on 24 Feb 2020 by Admin | 3 min read

One of the most challenging things about parenting is the fact that our kids are always watching us, taking their cues about how to face life's ups and downs from what they watch us doing. Whether we are shouting at someone who took the parking space we had our eye on or gripping the steering wheel at a red light because we are late for an appointment, their eyes are always rolling.

The stress felt by parents continues throughout the course of your life and the life of your children. The source of stress and the best way to deal with it changes as you and your children grow. Stress is an inherent aspect of parenting. It cannot be eliminated, but some of it can be prevented and the rest of it can be effectively managed. The following stress-free parenting techniques can be used to reduce stress and enjoy a good time with their little ones:

1.Spend Quality Time with Family

One of the best things about parenting is getting to have fun with your kids. However, this message sometimes fades away in today’s atmosphere of academic competition and extracurricular activities chosen strategically. Spending more quality family time together improves the parent-child relationship.

Even though it may be difficult to include extracurricular activities into the family’s schedule, parents can consider being creative. This can be conducting a family game night, running around at a park, playing catch, coloring, or dancing around to music in the living room that can be immensely valuable. Children who are used to doing joyous things are more likely to open up about their lives, fears, and challenges with their parents as they grow.

2.Establish Your Support System

For many parents, the tasks associated with raising kids are never-ending. Try to interact with other parents who can swap school drop-offs, pickups, or join a rotating afternoon homework club that goes from house to house. It is extremely imperative to make use of your support system that is helpful in decreasing parenting stress. For instance, you can request your extended family to provide child care for a few hours during the week so you can engage in self-care.

Support systems are also helpful in providing an opportunity to know how other parents address a problem. We are meant to raise children with the support of an extended family. If you don't have a network of trustworthy and caring people to lean on, then it’s time to create one.

3.Get Enough Sleep

One of the best ways of coping with parenting stress is to get more rest. An average person needs 7-8 hours of sleep to recharge. Reduced hours of sleep can result in problems with mood regulation, focus, memory, illness, and stress. Take an afternoon nap with your toddler. The more relaxed you feel, the better you will be able to deal with life's challenges. Narrating bedtime stories to your kid before sleep makes bedtime something to look forward to.

4.Set aside Play Time

Physical activity reduces stress levels and also is a fun way to spend time with your child. Schedule time to engage in stress-busting activities like exercise, sport, dance, swimming, etc.

We become more vulnerable to frustration and stress, without time spent on each day for nourishing our spirit. Tell jokes, draw, conduct a dance contest with your children that can make a big difference in your stress levels.

Parenting and stress go together like peanut butter & jelly. You cannot achieve one without some measure of the other. As a parent, you can never eliminate stress completely. There are techniques to effectively reduce and manage parenting stress. Build a network of support. Get out and have fun with your kids.

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