Blog Layout
KATHY BOWERS
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND
Being a parent is hard work and none stop with demands not only from the outside world, work, other
people, extended family and this is before your own family and children.
Children are different from each other and no two are similar in the family, age and how they respond and understand what you are asking of them varies. This is partly due to their age and ability but also their
personality type. Teenagers are a different situation as they have past the age of just complying and
need to be considered in anything that involves them.
We are reaching the Christmas period with other pressures such as all the family spending an un-natural amount of time together. When we have are own routines, structure during the rest of the year having the
family together 24 7 for days can add to overload and stress.
What you do now can help you manage and enjoy your time together.
- Plan ahead the most important thing is not to over plan and try and control all situations, let the day/evening flow and when things change go with this.
- What quality time do you give yourself now? this needs to be rectified if you don't, spending time just for you on a daily basis is vital. This gives you time to recharge, focus on you and head space.
- During the Christmas period when everyone is together you all need to be allowed TIME OUT for your own quality time.
- If everyone is just eating, sitting, watching televison and doing nothing else, this can cause irritability, squabbles and arguments.
- It is vital that everyone gets out in the fresh air together or alone for a time.
- I know we are now having a heating issue, don't keep the heating on all the time or to high, this just makes everyone sluggish. Get some fresh air into the home on the rooms your are not in.
- Ask for help, don't be the only one doing all the work over Christmas, if you are cooking someone can set the table, clear away, wash up.
- Prepare before hand so you are not spending all the time in the kitchen, over the years I realized I was missing out of most of the conversations as I had not planned ahead. When you prepare before the Big day, it cuts down on the time you are shut off.
- Share the checking of how things are going in the kitchen with your other half, or one of your children.
- If you don't ask for help you won't recieve, if you ask you will be surpised how willing others are to help.
- If you have young children monitor to avoid them getting overtired as that is when they get into tantrums. Stick to routine and keep bedtimes, naps the same as any other day, if very young feed them earlier. This will allow you to eat with the others and enjoy your meal.
- Ensure you and others can give the younger children attention, play and interaction, doing things they enjoy will help a great deal. When you go for a walk take them with you this really helps.
- Teenagers will want to spend time with their friends, agree before hand whether this is in the morning or after the Christmas meal. This will allow them not to feel couped up and will have the opportunity of being part of the Christmas with their own family.
- They might even have a girl/boy friend and inviting them to spend Christmas Day and the meal with you will make it easier for them. Ask them now if this is something they would like to do.
- Think about other things you can all enjoy together-board games, films etc. Get everyone onboard now and plan the day between you. This is away of getting everyone onboard and knowing what to expect and also giving you support with all the cooking etc.
- Keep everything within reason-eating, drinking, partying if there is balance and control of these your Christmas should be a really good one.
- If tension does arise use distraction, keep calm, break the tension by asking that person for help with something.
- Point to remember this is an opportunity to get to know what your children are interested in and how things are going for them. They can also learn about you and not just "My Parents".
- Spending time with your other half again as work life and other things put pressure on relationship find some quality time together-Go for a walk, find a quite space in the home for half an hour just to give one another 121 quality time to find out how you both are.
- Spread the love and kindness and be thankful you can spend quality time together.
WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
New paragraph
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST KIND OF MEDICINE
ARE YOU LIVING IN A MADHOUSE? When I came home from work the atmoshpere was explosive, noisy and chaotic. Children running around - shouting and hurting each other, even the dog was barking and acting manic. This had become the norm for my family, somewhere I had lost control of being able to ensure calm and balance for my children and me at home. It was not always like this, but I don't remember how it started. I only knew it can't go on anymore. Everyone was unhappy and home was not a safe, balanced and calm place anymore. So why am I telling you this? Do you want to find balance and calm home again? Routines which work for your children Consider the age, personality of each child and your family (every family is different) What is the main area you are struggling with? How to put these routines in which your children will accept The importance of your choice and outcome you want Parents need to unite with parenting It is vital that parents work together, and parenting is not different from one another Consistency and the importance of this How to prevent being played off by your children What do children need to learn? What guidance do you need to offer your children? How can your children learn from you? How do children understand what you are asking of them? Boundaries at home for children How to get everyone involved with choosing these How to ensure they are suitable for all your children Expectations you need to consider when setting boundaries Let's qickly recap and see what you have learned today and now you know how Let's review the 4 areas again Routines which work for your children What do you need to take into consideration? Parents need to unite in parenting What are the reasons you need to do this? What do children need to learn? How can you ensure this can happen Boundaries for children Importance of having them and how to ensure they are appropriate for your children and family LEAVE ME A COMMENT TO SEE IF THIS BLOG HAS BEEN HELPFUL GET IN TOUCH FOR A FREE EXLORATORY SESSION TO TELL ME MORE