Reducing stress is important, for your sake as well as for your children.
Reducing your stress gives you time and energy to be the best parent you
can be.

Recognizing the signs of stress:

Feeling tired most of the time
Snapping at family and friends
Not being able to make decisions
Changes in sleeping habits—either sleeping a lot or not sleeping enough
Not wanting to eat, or overeating
Headaches/stomachaches
Muscle tension leading to pain in the neck, shoulders or back
Not being able to concentrate

Although some stressful tasks can’t be avoided, changing the way we do them
can help reduce stress. Try to plan your day the night before using a to-do list,
and schedule the most important or unpleasant tasks first.

Making Errands Less Stressful

Running errands with a child can be stressful, but these simple tips can make time out of the house more enjoyable for both of you:

Plan to run errands right after breakfast, when children are not tired or hungry.
Be prepared to meet your child’s needs. Pack a bag with a few diapers, wet wipes, diaper ointment, a change of
clothes, a zip lock bag for soiled clothes, a pacifier and a small toy.
If you are not breastfeeding, bring along a bottle with powdered formula and a bottle of water so you can mix it
when needed.
For older children, bring a healthy snack. Granola bars, raisins, Cheerios, Goldfish crackers or other favorites will
hold them over until you can all get some lunch.
A removable sunshade for the vehicle’s side windows will protect your baby’s skin and eyes from the sun and make
the ride more pleasant.
Limit the number of errands you try to accomplish in a day. Babies can be over stimulated by too many sights and
sounds and may become fussy, while toddlers get bored having to sit still for long periods of time.
Be flexible! Take care of the most urgent matters first, so if children get tired or fussy, you can head home and leave
the remaining errands for another time.
If you have several children to keep up with, ask a friend or family member to come along for your outing and help
with the children.

FAST FIX: Managing and Controlling Anger

Experiencing anger is not good for your health. It causes your adrenaline and blood pressure to rise above normal levels. Even worse, you could end up hurting someone or doing something that you will regret later. Below are some tips to help you calm down and control your anger, especially when you are with your children. Remember, children imitate ways to solve problems.

Relax and Breathe. Calm yourself down. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine your anger leaving you with
your breath. Release it and be free. Repeat this step over and over until you feel peace inside.
Release your anger through safe outlets. Exercise regularly, call a friend and vent, clean your house or water your
plants. Just make sure you know what your safe outlets are.
Forgive and forget. Learn to forgive those who have caused you pain and suffering. This doesn’t mean you have to
contact them and make a big deal over it, this is meant to give yourself inner peace by releasing emotional pain.
Exercise. Engaging in exercise increases your endorphins. Your angry mood can change to a happy one if you get
involved in exercises that you enjoy doing.
Listen to soothing music. This helps calm your soul. Take 20 minutes to relax and listen to music while you take some deep breaths.

If you find these tips do not work and you are having trouble controlling your anger, please talk to your nurse or doctor about other ways to deal with anger.

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