There are days being a stay at home parent can bring tears of frustration to your eyes. Arguing with your mini-me about anything and everything while chasing them around all day can really take it out of you. Not to mention that you usually are trying to catch up on housework and other life tasks while they are napping. Trying to manage a two-year old that has been recharged while you are still running on fumes can make it easy to snap and lose patience with you child.
The good news is that you are not the only mommy or daddy that has lost their patience with their child. So stop feeling like you are the worst parent ever because you raised your voice. Having some strategies to help you keep patience even at the most trying times is a great way to deal with those moments where you feel like you are about to explode.
The first step in avoiding losing your patience with your kids is to be aware of your own feelings and emotions. Recognizing that you are starting to boil or feeling frustrated when it starts to happen can help you take the time or moment to decompress the stress that is boiling your tea pot. Before that pot starts to whistle, try taking a few deep breaths and decide if the cup of spilled juice is really important enough to lose your temper or you are just tired.
That is actually another very important key to being able to deal with life stressors in a healthy way is making sure you are getting enough restful sleep and rest. This can be a very difficult task when you have young children, but do your best. Some tips are to ask your spouse to get up with the baby in the middle of the night or try simple meditations before bed to relax your mind.
Pay attention to the things that set you off and push your buttons. By identifying those things that trigger you, you can be better prepared to deal with those situations. Kids are messy, full of energy and do some of the weirdest things. It can be easy to lose patience when you haven’t had time to do the housework or keep up on the things you would like. Just remember that in the end the laundry can be done tomorrow, the dishes won’t mold overnight, and the most important thing is your child and watching them learn and grow up--all too quickly.
