Today, we’re starting a bit early because that’s usually when the stress of the day sets in. Don’t worry, we’re here to help because if your morning feels hectic, you’re not alone. My goal in the morning is to strive for a calm, relaxed, and efficient start, so that everyone is happy and begins their day on a positive note—myself included.
But sometimes, that’s easier said than done. In the Pool household, mornings mean corralling the kids: five-year-old Ben and two-year-old Ginny. There are tantrums to tame, troubles to tackle, and the challenge of getting them out the door on time. Our morning issues often revolve around choosing breakfast and what the kids wear. Sometimes, both little ones are competing for attention. I’m not angry at them, just frustrated. They’re still children, but a difficult morning can affect the entire day.
Sound familiar? Most parents can relate. So, we decided to press pause for this dad and bring in an expert to observe his morning stressors. When parents like Matt deal with the challenges of young children, that kind of stress can impact their health in many ways. We might hold ourselves more tensely, experience negative thoughts, and start the day off on the wrong foot.
Physically, I feel drained. It’s harder to focus, and I feel like I can’t give everyone what they need. I’m also very hard on myself. There are no shows in the morning—parents need to set healthy boundaries and limits so they can move through their day. And kids don’t always like those limits. They don’t have the language and coping skills that adults do, so they cry, yell, and act out.
So, what can we do to reduce morning stress? Joyce has a few stress-saving tips from this family’s living room to yours. One strategy is to imagine a layer of plexiglass between yourself and your child’s outburst, allowing you to stay in your own calm space. It’s also important to practice self-care. As parents, we often compare our insides to other people’s outsides, imagining that only our kids are rolling on the floor screaming while everyone else’s children behave perfectly.
Nobody is perfect. We’re all human, and there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. But you’re the perfect parent for your child, and all you need to do is your best.
