Dial down the parenting stress

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:18 PM EDT

Article Source: The Orlando Sentinel

If not managed, a mom's stress can affect her health and happiness. Psychiatrist Judith Orloff offers these tips for combating the stress, worry, fear and anxiety that come from being a supermom and caretaker.

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Regions: Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne

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{"commentId":8255707,"authorDomain":"maddad0467"}

maddad

Set limits with emotional vampires. Emotional vampires are people who sap your energy and leave you feeling fatigued, agitated or craving comfort food. Emotional vampires come in all forms, from needy children and critical spouses, to unpleasant co-workers and nagging parents. When you're around people who drain your energy, practice saying no, politely excusing yourself or communicating your limits clearly and calmly.

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1 vote

#1 - Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":8258728,"authorDomain":"magsbyt"}

magsby47

I always wonder if these "experts" have any families or friends themselves, or whether they really live on this planet.

One of the best ways to relieve stress is to do one thing at a time. Somewhere we got the idea a couple of decades ago that we need to be juggle 6 or more things at once or we are underachieving. My "unexpert" suggestions would be:

1. Don't talk on the cell while driving. That's why there is voice mail. There is enough extra stress listening to the kids while you're driving and concentrating on traffic.

2. Listen to your kids when they talk to you. Don't make them say "Mom" 6 times before they get your attention. When they are 25 and not calling you, remember they got used to you ignoring them.

3. Realize you were not put on earth to be at the beck and call of your kids. Your job is to make them independent, productive citizens of the world. Don't wait until they are 18 - character building starts when they are toddlers.

4. You will not make everyone happy. You will not make anyone happy if you are miserable. So, know your limits and stay within them.

5. Say "no." A lot. It goes hand-in-hand with #4. There are lots of ways to say no nicely. "I would love to help out with that, but now is not a good time for me to take on anything else."

Getting off the cell phone while you're driving would take a huge amount of stress off

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2 votes

#2 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:51 AM EDT

{"commentId":8295259,"authorDomain":"karrygarza"}

Garza

When I want to destress I try to get the kids to bed a little earlier and then I go to my room. I get in my jammies turn on a lamp and either read or do some crossword fill-ins. It makes for a nice relaxing end to the day.

{"commentId":8295259,"threadId":"628405","contentId":"3032518","authorDomain":"karrygarza"}

1 vote

#3 - Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:47 PM EDT

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MADDAD

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Dial down the parenting stress

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