Reduce Stress and Reconnect with your Kids

Winter break was a welcome treat for me and my family. My kids and I needed it. Badly. Like many other parents, I spend most days doing schoolwork, shuttling kids around to activities, running errands and trying to keep up with the chores. When we started homeschooling last year, I thought we would be less pressed for time. That just isn’t the case. Before Winter break I found myself struggling to keep up. I was irritable and anxious. My kids were seeing a lot of “Grouchy Mommy”.

Over the break I realized that I needed to back off of our schedule and take breaks for us to reconnect. We were spending so much time rushing around without taking the much needed moments to slow down and enjoy each other. We used to take time every day to snuggle in the big bed and laugh and tell jokes and chat. But we just hadn’t been doing that. And I missed it.

Some people think you have to get away from the kids and do something alone to de-stress. Ok, sometimes that definitely works. But there are ways to de-stress with the kids. Because honestly, they feel the stress too. Here’s what we do to get rid of the stress and reconnect with each other.

Cuddle. Take 15 minutes and pull the covers up and talk. How is your day? What do you feel like doing this weekend? What have you enjoyed most about your week? Is your favorite vegetable still broccoli? It’s amazing the things you can talk about with your kids if you just give them a quiet opportunity. I have two, a 4-year old and 7-year old, so they like to compete for the attention but I try to redirect and remind them that cuddle time is not the time to argue. It’s time to listen to each other and enjoy each other. We all get a turn to talk. And lying down for a few minutes in the middle of the day helps your body recharge. You don’t always need to sleep to regenerate your energy.

Get outdoors and explore. One thing that really helps us is a good nature hike. We have a few favorite spots and when I feel like we need to slow down, just the three of us will head out to our happy place and explore at our own pace. We talk, snack, find shady spots to toss rocks into streams or look for trees to climb. Our spirits lift when we get this special time together and we create memories that we will share for a lifetime.

Color. Kids like to color. And it occurred to me recently that I can do it too. Yes, there is a lot of talk right now about the “adult coloring trend” to relieve stress, but you don’t have to do it alone or with a group of other women. You can do it with your kids and reap the same benefits. Not only are you taking time to slow down, but you’re taking time to do something with them, that they enjoy too, and that makes them feel important. Everyone wins. Here are a few of our favorite coloring books:

It’s ok to have a glass of wine after the kids go to bed to wind down, but remember these other ways to cut back on stress as well. Spending time together to help everyone feel less anxious benefits the whole family. Sways low down. The dishes can wait.

For more coloring books and award-winning books to read to your kids at bedtime visit https://f4762.myubam.com/.