Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect their wives or partners to do the lion's share.
There are signs that we're moving toward a more enlightened age in which ALL parents play their part.
But in the meantime, let's concentrate on some help for tired moms.
Apparently the number one question mothers ask their doctors is, "How can I get more energy?"
Fatigue is a serious problem when it robs us of our happiness, our sense of balance, and even our effective parenting skills.
So what's the answer?
Ironically, the best way to overcome the energy crisis is to first of all spend just a little bit more time and energy. But hang in there! It will pay great dividends in a short time.
The first area to tackle is managing the household. Too many mothers do too much work.
And that's not fair!
Divide up the chores so that everyone pulls their weight. Even young kids can be involved.
I know of one family who have a game of 'Lorries' (or 'Trucks') when the rooms need tidied. Mum is the boss. She lines the kids up and 'loads' them with toys, books, magazines, the ironing - whatever needs to be tidied - and the kids are then 'dispatched' to make their deliveries. Yes, a bit of training may be required - especially on how to carry and put away newly ironed clothes! - but with practice and perseverance kids can learn.
A chart can record contributions, with the promise of a reward at the end of the week. A trip to the cinema, the swimming pool or ice-skating, a special treat at dinner - it doesn't matter, so long as you honour the commitments made!
With the household chores now being managed effectively, the next step is to build in some QRT - Quality Recovery Time.
Insist on it. Demand it! Yell from the rooftops if necessary, but make sure you get your entitled share of time-out.
And it must suit YOU. What's good for one person won't necessarily suit another. To my wife, for example, the T in RT stands for Retail Therapy. Shopping malls are just not my scene, so to me it stands for Torture!
Individual time-out, then, means doing whatever is important to you. Many women like to have a 'general pampering' session, ranging from a bath with scented candles and soft music to working out at the gym.
So where does the time for these individual sessions come from?
This is when you call on partners, extended family or friends. Sharing the kids' supervision with trusted friends is a great idea. You take their kids with yours on an outing one time, and they take yours the next. This frees up time for individual relaxation, or gives you and your spouse or partner a chance to relax away from it all.
So - get organised. Run your household with a clearly defined routine.
Have family outings and/or activities where you all relax and enjoy each other as a family unit.
Call on family or friends to share the load, and enjoy some well-deserved time-out with your spouse or partner, AND build in some personal QRT when you do what suits you and ONLY you.
If your lifestyle follows this pattern, your energy levels will take care of themselves.
Happy parenting!
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others fail? Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web pages, http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html AND http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
What is in a name?The answer is everything!Jo J. of... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Parenting |