For many parents, raising a child and stress go hand in hand, as they worry about their offspring’s behavior, social aptitude, academic performance, and safety. One aspect of limiting such stress is finding a social network you can rely on. Many parents who feel isolated, overwhelmed, and alone do not fully acknowledge or realize the shared elements that make parenting more manageable.
Having a supportive social network has been foundational to successful parenting throughout the millennia and is one aspect that has allowed humans to specialize in specific professions. Support options are still out there today, though they may not be as localized as in decades past. Whether relatives or neighbors, getting others involved in helping raise a child takes the burden off of the primary caregiver. It also broadens kids’ horizons as they gain insights and life lessons from other responsible and trusted adults.
There are still many options for those who do not have a support network of friends and relatives in the local area. Online parenting communities provide a foundational element of support, even in one’s home environment, while local parenting cooperatives allow parents to take turns caring for a group of kids.
Parenting classes are another way of expanding horizons and working through persistent behavioral issues. In the local community, they allow you to gain new friends who are parents and often willing and able to help. Such experiences help alleviate feelings of guilt, anger, and stress. They give you insight into the experiences of other parents and the realization that many others face similarly fraught home scenarios. The social connections forged help alleviate the sense of burden that comes from going it alone.
Another aspect of the equation involves closely examining your behavior and attitude and what is projected onto the child. How children interact with the world often mirrors their experiences with their parents as they follow examples from an early age. It’s important to practice self-control and carefully assess situations before rushing in and taking parental action.
Unfortunately, maintaining a friendly, rational, and positive mindset is not always possible. The need to make a living and meet deadlines carries its stresses. In many cases, it’s challenging to categorize stresses from the workplace and not bring them into the home environment.
Some basic techniques that help defuse stress before heading home include touching base with a trusted friend or colleague and taking over the day’s events. Take time to hear your friends, just as they give you a chance to be heard, and allow built-up tension and negativity to dissipate. Use the commute home as a time for mindfulness and centering, bringing awareness to how the day’s events proceeded and redirecting energy from pressing problems to the now.
If you are in a calm and receptive state of mind, it’s more than likely that the child and spouse will be genuine with affection and provide a warm welcome, relishing the opportunity to spend quality time interacting. The result is a harmonious family supporting each other in times of stress rather than amplifying problems and making situations worse.
