Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect their wives or partners to do the lion's share.
There are signs that we're moving toward a more enlightened age in which ALL parents play their part.
But in the meantime, let's concentrate on some help for tired moms.
Apparently the number one question mothers ask their doctors is, "How can I get more energy?"
Fatigue is a serious problem when it robs us of our happiness, our sense of balance, and even our effective parenting skills.
So what's the answer?
Ironically, the best way to overcome the energy crisis is to first of all spend just a little bit more time and energy. But hang in there! It will pay great dividends in a short time.
The first area to tackle is managing the household. Too many mothers do too much work.
And that's not fair!
Divide up the chores so that everyone pulls their weight. Even young kids can be involved.
I know of one family who have a game of 'Lorries' (or 'Trucks') when the rooms need tidied. Mum is the boss. She lines the kids up and 'loads' them with toys, books, magazines, the ironing - whatever needs to be tidied - and the kids are then 'dispatched' to make their deliveries. Yes, a bit of training may be required - especially on how to carry and put away newly ironed clothes! - but with practice and perseverance kids can learn.
A chart can record contributions, with the promise of a reward at the end of the week. A trip to the cinema, the swimming pool or ice-skating, a special treat at dinner - it doesn't matter, so long as you honour the commitments made!
With the household chores now being managed effectively, the next step is to build in some QRT - Quality Recovery Time.
Insist on it. Demand it! Yell from the rooftops if necessary, but make sure you get your entitled share of time-out.
And it must suit YOU. What's good for one person won't necessarily suit another. To my wife, for example, the T in RT stands for Retail Therapy. Shopping malls are just not my scene, so to me it stands for Torture!
Individual time-out, then, means doing whatever is important to you. Many women like to have a 'general pampering' session, ranging from a bath with scented candles and soft music to working out at the gym.
So where does the time for these individual sessions come from?
This is when you call on partners, extended family or friends. Sharing the kids' supervision with trusted friends is a great idea. You take their kids with yours on an outing one time, and they take yours the next. This frees up time for individual relaxation, or gives you and your spouse or partner a chance to relax away from it all.
So - get organised. Run your household with a clearly defined routine.
Have family outings and/or activities where you all relax and enjoy each other as a family unit.
Call on family or friends to share the load, and enjoy some well-deserved time-out with your spouse or partner, AND build in some personal QRT when you do what suits you and ONLY you.
If your lifestyle follows this pattern, your energy levels will take care of themselves.
Happy parenting!
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others fail? Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web pages, http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html AND http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
Chicago limo Skokie ..Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
Below is a copy of our eating program for Attention... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
Many children are jittery on the first day of school.... Read More
The Flow of WaterWater is essential for life on the... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
There are two methods for teaching children to read; whole... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
Mother's Day is important for children.This Mother's Day take note... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
Would you like your child to be the best that... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
Parenting |