The hustle and bustle of modern life often causes us to lose focus. Of course, we make sure our kids have food on the table, play dates, and schoolbooks, and they get to their class in time. We do our best to keep our homes clean and safe, not to mention our work responsibilities and chores. But what about our mental and emotional needs? 

Amid it all, we neglect our most fundamental human need for mental health and stability. As parents and our kids, we all have specific emotional and psychological needs daily. Ignoring those needs leads to conflicts, internal emotional turmoil, and overwhelming dissatisfaction. 

Families should focus on mental well-being as much as they do on sustenance and nourishment. Here are a few ways parents can slow down, get better control of their mental health, and create a safe and healthy environment for their kids.

Healthy and open communication.

Bottling things up never does any good to anyone. You might not even be sulking or upset, but even if you’re processing a stressful event alone without letting those around you know that you perhaps need a moment – you’re setting yourself up for even more stress. Communication is the main ingredient in any healthy relationship, including families.

Let your partner know when you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed or with work. Talk to your kids to understand their confusion and potential issues. Encourage your spouse to talk about their feelings. Transparency and support go hand in hand, and they both help you manage the most difficult periods in life.

Image 3 – Mental Health, Source

Good stress management tactics.

Perhaps you’ve done your best to avoid stress during pregnancy, but now that your little bundle of joy has officially been welcomed into the world, you find yourself barely managing. Family life is bound to bring some unexpected challenges and ups and downs. Being a mom is a rollercoaster of emotions in and of itself. 

To enjoy your role as a parent even more and connect with your kids, you need to focus on yourself from time to time. That means that to beat stress, you need regular sleep (as much as possible), occasional exercise (something you like doing), and some time to yourself. Read a book, listen to a few of your favorite songs, play the guitar, and chat with your besties. Life won’t come to a grinding halt if you put yourself first.

Join a supportive online community.

When you’re too stressed and helpless, you should know you’re not alone. Many parents feel exactly like that, especially in those first few years of their kids’ lives. Everything from ear infections to nappy changes, not to mention the lack of sleep, feels like you need to figure it all out on the go. While that’s true to an extent, you can also use a parenthood app such as Mumli to talk to other moms, ask for advice, and get the support you need.

Mumli is easy and straightforward to use. It can help you reach out to other moms who might have useful tips and also serve as your personal baby development tracking tool. You can add your baby’s most essential information to see how your child grows and take some stress off your hands.

Say no and know when to ask for help.

You gladly help with the homework, make every snack box, and prepare the laundry. You also want to be there for every friend who invites you to coffee or organizes a get-together. As healthy as it is to keep your social relationships thriving and to help people when they ask you to do something, sometimes the best thing you can do for your mental health is to say no.

In addition to saying no, you should listen to your body and needs. If you’re handling too many chores, ask your partner to help. If you’re a single mom, perhaps your family and relatives would be willing to help you. There is no shame in asking for help when needed, and you should have a support system that gives you structure and stability as a parent.

With all the challenges families face, fluctuations in your mood and energy levels are perfectly normal. However, if you constantly feel overwhelmed and fatigued (both physically and mentally), then your mental well-being is most likely suffering. Recognizing that you’re in a unique situation and that general ideas can only help you so much is essential. Sometimes, you need the help and support of a professional, and at other times, your family’s support will be more than enough.

Learning that distinction will allow you to lead healthier lives and create a good environment for your kids’ emotional and psychological development. The more they see you take good care of yourself, the better they’ll be at practicing self-care later in life.