As parents, we have so many things on our minds—“Why isn’t my baby sleeping though the night anymore?” “Does my toddler eat a well-balanced diet?” “Will my preschooler be well liked by her classmates?” “Have I provided my kindergartener with the tools to succeed in school?”—the list goes on and on. It can be exhausting to plan and prepare for our young children’s day, week, life… You may think that enjoying a little “me time” takes away from your child—but it’s really quite the opposite! Relieving stress is an important part of staying healthy.
To maintain sanity, make it a priority to schedule some “me time” in the busy to-do list that is the modern parent’s day-to-day life. Whether it is just a few minutes to yourself or a weekend getaway, “me time” can help us to “re-center” ourselves.
Feeling the time crunch? Try these quick (but still refreshing) tips:
• Exercise. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and manage your energy levels. A little goes a long way! Have your spouse watch the kiddies and go for a quick solo walk around the block.
• Meditation. Close your eyes and breathe deep. Focus on how each breath flows in and out of your abdomen for one minute, or until you feel more relaxed.
• Phone a friend. Take a few minutes to call that friend whose emails you haven’t had time to reply to. A brief conversation with another grown-up can help regain perspective. Plan in advance to focus on any “non-child-related” topic.
How do you fit a little “me time” into your hectic schedule? How do you enjoy spending this time?
Showing posts with label Parenting Differences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting Differences. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
We are celebrating Dad this week at The Goddard School of Wall! In honor of Father's Day, some "dad facts" from The Goddard School advisor, Dr. Kyle D. Pruett.
Fathering - by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
One of the principal behavior changes of American parents in the last generation centers on the wish that fathers be more involved day-to-day with their children. My research on the issue of whether or not this is a good thing comes to two firm conclusions: 1) children raised by involved dads are thriving, healthy kids, and 2) fathers do not mother any more than mothers father.
So, what is unique about the way men parent, and does it matter to children?
• Fathers roughhouse with their kids right from the beginning more than mothers. This is interesting to children, they respond to it, and even seek it out. It helps to build physical confidence in boys and girls.
• Fathers allow frustration to build to elevated levels before intervening when their children are mastering something new. It turns out that dads think this helps children learn to handle frustration at manageable levels - preparing them for life’s uneven playing field. They are right.
• Fathers may give their children more leeway in new circumstances while mothers tend to stay physically closer to their children in the park or at the mall. Dads want children to explore. Children tend to like it, and learn independence from it.
• Fathers use more real-world consequences to discipline whereas mothers use more social-relationship consequences. Children who receive both integrate them well, giving them a stronger sense of internal control and self-discipline than children with uninvolved or absent dads.
• Kids with involved dads - dads who have fed, changed diapered, bathed, and comforted (with the support of their spouses) - do better in school, have higher self-confidence, use less violent problem-solving themselves, and have stronger verbal skills.
Children can distinguish the voice of their father from their mother at birth - and their handling styles at six weeks. Any questions? Just ask the kids what they think of fathering.
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
Fathering - by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
One of the principal behavior changes of American parents in the last generation centers on the wish that fathers be more involved day-to-day with their children. My research on the issue of whether or not this is a good thing comes to two firm conclusions: 1) children raised by involved dads are thriving, healthy kids, and 2) fathers do not mother any more than mothers father.
So, what is unique about the way men parent, and does it matter to children?
• Fathers roughhouse with their kids right from the beginning more than mothers. This is interesting to children, they respond to it, and even seek it out. It helps to build physical confidence in boys and girls.
• Fathers allow frustration to build to elevated levels before intervening when their children are mastering something new. It turns out that dads think this helps children learn to handle frustration at manageable levels - preparing them for life’s uneven playing field. They are right.
• Fathers may give their children more leeway in new circumstances while mothers tend to stay physically closer to their children in the park or at the mall. Dads want children to explore. Children tend to like it, and learn independence from it.
• Fathers use more real-world consequences to discipline whereas mothers use more social-relationship consequences. Children who receive both integrate them well, giving them a stronger sense of internal control and self-discipline than children with uninvolved or absent dads.
• Kids with involved dads - dads who have fed, changed diapered, bathed, and comforted (with the support of their spouses) - do better in school, have higher self-confidence, use less violent problem-solving themselves, and have stronger verbal skills.
Children can distinguish the voice of their father from their mother at birth - and their handling styles at six weeks. Any questions? Just ask the kids what they think of fathering.
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)