1. Be Prepared When you
know that you are going to be facing a difficult situation with your teenager
or an extremely busy time, prepare for it ahead of time. Review the situation
and make sure you know your stand on the matter.
2. Be Organized Keeping track
of everyones obligations, will cut your stress level in half. There is
nothing worse than coming home after running a dozen errands just to remember
as you are sitting down that you didnt pick up your daughter from soccer
practice! I suggest using a wall calendar and as obligations come up and
sporting schedules come home, write down everything on the right date,
including times.
3. Accept the Challenge Think
of a hard situation with your teen not as a defeat, but a challenge. The
same with scheduling. Its not something you cant handle - but a chance
for you to see what you are made of!
4. Breathe Deeply and Count
to 10. It may seem silly to you, but if you can breathe deeply for ten
of fifteen seconds when you feel stressed, it will help you to calm down
before dealing with an issue. This is also the ideal time to pray. Ask
God to help you respond in the correct way remembering that a harsh answer
stirs up wrath...
5. Use Self-Talk To help
calm yourself down, when an issue comes up that causes you distress, simply
tell yourself to calm down or remind yourself the this, too, shall pass.
Whatever you need to hear during times of conflict - tell it to yourself.
It will help to put things in perspective and not act rashly.
6. Slow Down Try to simplify
your life and have your kids simplify theirs. You dont have to be involved
in EVERY activity and neither do they. Just keep it simple; pick and choose.
If life gets too hectic, ask yourselves what you can give up.
7. Keep a Journal Keeping
a journal can serve as a reminder to you of how you handled similar situations:
what worked and what didnt. Make sure you note what you did to help ease
your stress. |
