Beautiful mother and her school age daughter with a backpack

Last week we took a look at ways to help children destress as they are returning to school. Now it’s time to look at ways to help mom destress!

 

Back to school - it's time to help mom destress! Click To Tweet

 

Clearly, when our children are feeling anxious, we are too. I had someone on Facebook ask me if I had anything for parents after I posted last week’s article. Well, here we go!

 

Good Calendar Habits

Build the habit of reviewing your calendar for the current day and the days ahead.

You want to ensure you didn’t forget a doctor’s appointment or that soccer practice is on Wednesday. Or worse yet, that picture day is on Tuesday and they need a new outfit.

Do your best to know what your week looks like at the beginning of the week so there are no surprises.  Then, get in the habit of reviewing each day and praying over it in the morning.

 

Establish Routines

Establish routines, but remain flexible. Try it and if it’s not as good as it could be then, change it.

Two areas where routines can be especially helpful are meals and clothing.  Moms carry guilt when it comes to ensuring their children are well fed; not junk food fed.

We know that kids get really cranky when they are hungry!  So, it’s very helpful to have meals planned ahead of time.

When it comes to clothing, save headaches, arguments and time. If your child wears uniforms – great! But if not, get those outfits figured out the evening before or, better yet, pick them out on Sunday for the entire week.

 

Buddy-up

Connect with Other Moms and work out rides to and from school, practices or other events.

Know who has flexibility in their schedule and is willing to help if you get in a bind. What will you do if your child gets sick and you are on a business trip?

 

Be Prepared

Go through your routines a couple of days prior to school actually beginning – getting to sleep on time, getting up early, having breakfast ready to go and more.

As much as possible, know what works and what doesn’t before you are in the middle of it.

 

Find Your Joy

The quickest way to get my joy back when I’m anxious is to focus on something or someone, just one thing or person, that I am thankful for.

There are TONS of things to be thankful for; even in the midst of morning struggles between the kids. 

I had someone just yesterday tell me they would begin singing a praise song when their kids were bickering.  There’s always joy in praise songs!

 

[stextbox id=”custom” bwidth=”3″ color=”FAFEFF” bcolor=”8C6727″ bgcolor=”50C7C3″ bgcolorto=”50C7C3″]Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home;  Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick. ~ Proverbs 14:1 (MSG)[/stextbox]

 

Don’t get caught up in “forever” thinking.  You’ll get routines figured out and the new school year rhythm going.  Breathe….

 

 

Have you thought about life coaching? 

Many, many people do but never take the time to investigate the incredible benefits it offers.

My coaching is all about helping you live to your greatest God-given potential. 

I call it “Serenity” because when you are not in alignment with your core values, with your life purpose, peace within yourself is nearly impossible to find. 

Having true peace (Serenity) doesn’t mean your life is without struggles.  Struggles aren’t always the issue in and of themselves.  It’s how you get through them and what you do with them.

Contact me for a no-obligation discussion if you would like to learn more about how life coaching can help you.   Email me here

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Debbie Luxton

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