The Road to Resilience – Are You Parenting in Overdrive?
Parenting in today’s world of unprecedented uncertainty and near-constant demands can find parents feeling like they are living in overdrive. The effects of unrelenting stress can leave parents less equipped to handle the unexpected and often overwhelming needs of their children, and for many people, there can be a significant emotional toll.
But, understanding responses to distressing demands can help parents cope effectively with their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and can help them along the path to creating effective solutions.
What are common reactions and responses to parental overdrive?
Intense or unpredictable feelings. You may be anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, or even grief-stricken if a great deal of freedom has been taken from your usual home life routines. It is common to feel more irritable or moody than usual.
Changes to thoughts and behavior patterns. It may be difficult to concentrate or make decisions. Sleep and eating patterns also can be disrupted, causing a more heightened reaction to stressful events.
Strained interpersonal relationships. Increased conflict, such as more frequent disagreements with family members and even coworkers, can occur. You might also become withdrawn, isolated, or disengaged from your usual social activities.
Stress-related physical symptoms. Headaches, nausea, and sleeplessness and even preexisting medical conditions could be affected by parenting stress.
So how can you cope?
It is important to remember that resilience is possible, and prolonged distress is not a state that is natural in any way. There are a number of steps you can take to rebuild emotional well-being and gain a sense of your personal equilibrium, including the following:
Give yourself time to adjust. Anticipate that this will continue to be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to process some of the changes you have experienced and try to be patient with changes in your emotional state.
Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. Social support is a key component to parenting a child with special needs. Family and friends can be an important resource. You can also find support and common ground from other parents in your situation to share notes on what has worked for them.
Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest as often as possible. If you experience ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques.
Establish or reestablish routines. Build in some positive routines to have something to look forward to during these distressing times, like pursuing a hobby, walking through an attractive park or neighborhood, reading a good book or simply talking to a trusted friend.
Certainly, there is much more that you can do as a parent to ease some of the burdens you feel as you navigate these challenging times. At Prosper Parenting, we have several options for you as we work together to create better understanding of your child’s needs and behavior while designing the best strategies for making sure your own health and wellness needs are met. You deserve the best, and so do your children!
Book a call to discover how my services can meet your needs.
