When parenting exhausts you try these lives hacks
Like any job, parenting is not a job but it needs you 100%. Every parent is different and every parenting style is unique. One common thing is that it exhausts you at many levels. As much as it is loving and fulfilling, it is also draining. You find yourself on the other side of the family, all alone and criticised. How do you relax? Try some of these life hacks and see if they work for you.
Why parenting exhausts
Let’s discuss various factors. Children are very unpredictable. They make you cry as much as they make you laugh. The main reason is their behaviour that hurts. Siblings argue with each other no matter what their age is. And the biggest irritation is that your voice goes unheard. This will never stop and I will be a parent always. So how do I deal with such situations and maintain peace?
Ask my God, why am I here?
I close my eyes and sit quietly for some time in search of a place where I don’t hear these arguments. But is there such a place? Not at all. Still, I try to concentrate and ask my God, Why am I here? Why do I exist? And you won’t believe, I get answers in some form. You just need to listen.
In one such case, I came out in the lobby and started watching TV. A scene from the movie Viraasat caught
It instantly clicked with me that kids make you laugh even in times of misery. No one other than children has this capability of turning sad moments into smiling ones. And then I felt better and went back to my lifelines.
Stop giving instructions
I have understood that when kids argue, it is better to be quiet. There is no point in becoming a referee. They will stop on their own and will be happy playing together the next minute. In fact, if you intervene and shout at them, you feel bad later.
When parenting exhausts, go shopping
This brings peace and happiness to many mothers and I am no different. I actually enjoy going alone to either a bookshop or a coffee shop. Even a stationary shop gives you so much pleasure. I like to sit quietly watching the world chasing their dreams. I become calm and go back home.
Flip away old memories
Every photograph has a story behind its click. It gives immense pleasure to look at an album and go into that time. You smile unknowingly and feel content. Old memories remind us of good habits and time spent together.
Everyone needs a change and mothers need them the most. Life is complete because of kids. Love binds us together and we need each other. Kids teach us so many life lessons and patience is the most important one.
Going down the memory lane is something I do and like , to divert thier mind , I tell them my childhood tales , sometimes thiers 🙂 and it works , they forget the current situation and fights.
Thanks, Ghazala.
Old memories are like happy places, you can visit whenever you are down. I relate to this advice the most. Helpful post.
Hey Geethica, here’s my momology post for Week#2. https://www.fitbewell.com/why-gardening-with-kids/
The linky seems to have ended.
Geethica, it’s such a heartwarming post and I am glad I read your post this morning, especially the bit from Viraasat, though I don’t remember it now after 22 years, I guess. But you are right, kids can make the worst stressful situations also lighter just with their smile. My husband tells me that life would have been a lot tougher had our daughter been not around, she is our strength on bad days.
I will remember this when I feel like shouting at her the next time. 🙂
Yes, watching old photographs cheer me up instantly. I will try it next time.
I can identify with all your emotions in this post. Children are definitely exhausting but they are also responsible for unlimited happiness in our lives. #momology
Geethica, your post is really heartwarming.
No doubts about children being the light of our life & their happiness amidst so many meltdowns is all that it takes to lift our moods. Their smiles & innocent faces are the most powerful thing on earth that can heal every crevice in our hearts.
And I so agree when you say that at times, there’s no need to talk back over bad/rude behavior. Kids usually mellow down instantly & that’s cool. As a child, I too was very quick to acknowledge my mistakes & apologize right away despite a fat ego lurking inside me. And yeah, like shopping treats you right during times of parenting exhaustion, for me it’s either simple shopping with my kid or a long ride that makes both of us let go the stupid moments of anger or showdown.