Finding Happiness As An Overwhelmed Parent

If you’re a mom or a dad, then you will appreciate learning these tips for finding happiness as an overwhelmed parent.

Because parenthood is so challenging, we can sometimes forget how to be happy in the midst of it all.

So, what are the secrets of finding happiness as an overwhelmed parent?

No worries – I’m here to help – regardless of whether you have a….

• rowdy toddler
• eye-rolling tween or teen

As you might know, I am a bestselling wellness author with about 2 million books sold globally.

Plus I founded a groundbreaking video course called The Anxiety Cure.

I love sharing insights and strategies to help people to be happier and calmer – especially during challenging times.

So I put together this article with a few simple ways you can discover and maintain the joy of parenthood. 

Finding Happiness As An Overwhelmed Parent

1. Stop neglecting yourself

The key to finding happiness as an overwhelmed parent is knowing your limits. 

When you start to feel overwhelmed, focus on your own needs for a while. Pushing yourself too hard will only make things worse. 

Try spending some time daily doing something that gives you joy. Wake up half an hour earlier or stay up for a little longer each day to exercise, which is an excellent stress-reliever. Watch your favorite television show or curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a good book. 

And if all else fails, go for a hot shower or an uninterrupted bubble bath, both of which are good ways to feel more relaxed.

2. Yelling is never the answer

If you’re not a yeller, this one isn’t for you. But if you tend to yell when upset, consider this question: Has yelling strengthened your relationship with your child? Has it made you a happier parent?

You might think that yelling at your kids — especially for teaching purposes — can prevent bad behavior (or academic performance) in the future. But in reality, it makes their behavior worse. It’s a good idea to implement effective teaching approaches that are direct (yet fair). 

Also, start paying attention to times and circumstances when you yell and then try replacing your response with something more sensible and calmer. 

3. Don’t run after perfection

You probably teach your kids to be kind and honest. So, why not cut yourself some slack and be a little more forgiving with yourself first?

It’s good enough if your kid went to the school with their teeth brushed and shoes tied, but hair unkempt. Likewise, it’s totally fine if dinner has been pizza and baby carrots for the past three nights.

As soon as you stop trying to be the perfect parent and focus on being a good enough one, you’ll truly understand the joy of parenthood.

3. Stop overplanning

Parents are a self-conscious, self-serious group these days. 

The helicopter phenomenon — where parents monitor their child super-closely and pack their schedules full of extracurricular or educational activities — is becoming more widespread. 

But as helpful as we try to be, sometimes we do too much. And it leads to more anxiety than there needs to be. 

Learning to have fun with your child — and letting them have fun too — will not only make parenthood more pleasant for you, but it will also help your child become independent and resourceful. 

4. Start practicing gratitude 

Focusing on what you have (rather than all the things that aren’t working out) can help you develop a positive mindset.

But this isn’t something you do once and then forget about it. 

You must take the time every day to see the positives in your life!

This is an important aspect of finding joy as an overwhelmed parent.

One way you can practice gratitude:

Spend some time answering gratitude questions every morning.

Examples include:

• What are two things that make you happy? 
• Name a person that you love.
• Name two things you are grateful for.

It’s a great idea to involve your children in this activity too. 

5. Connect with your children

Between working, cooking dinner, and managing the chaos, when was the last time you connected with your kids?

Not spending quality time with your children is a sure-fire way to feel more depressed and anxious. 

If you don’t enjoy playing outdoors, try finding something you like: read to them, tickle them, sing songs, turn on the radio, or dance.

Here are some simple ways to connect better with your children. 

6. Find joy in small things

It’s helpful to stop thinking of little tasks as chores and devise ways to enjoy them. 

For instance…

• Don’t thinking of disciplining your children as a hassle.
• Start thinking of your role in their life as that of a privileged guide.

When you think of the unique opportunity you have to shape a life, you will have a completely different perspective on discipline.

You can apply this to any aspect of parenting that drives you crazy.

Stay calm during stressful times

Enjoy my research based video course: The Anxiety Cure.