6 life hacks for parents that give extra energy

We live in a society where we look up to those who burn their candles at both ends, and that’s when it’s hard to let the dishes pile up and accept that we’re not perfect parents. But the best thing you can do for yourself and for the rest of the family is to let go of control once in a while.

Quality time with the children can be many things – often your child will be happier to take part in everyday chores with you than to go on big excursions and events. For example, if you involve your child in the cooking, he/she will feel like they are contributing to the family while also giving you both the peace and closeness you need – and so what if it messes up the kitchen a bit?

Your toddler doesn’t need the same busy schedule that you may be used to. When your toddler has been surrounded by other children and adults for an entire day in daycare, they need peace and to feel close to their family. It is therefore perfectly ok to say no thanks to dinner invitations and play dates.

Throughout the pregnancy, the father is placed in the spectator seats of your parenting, and during the newborn phase, there are also good, biological reasons why the mother takes out a patent on some of the jobs. But it is precisely for these reasons that a skewed division of responsibilities can arise between the mother and father.

If you are mindful that you both take part on equal terms, it will give you all an everyday life that works more smoothly.

Also read: Why the father plays an important role in baby’s life

When you haven’t slept several nights in a row and the only thing you dream of is to see the inside of your eyelids, it’s important to remember to reach out to your network. Maybe you have some parents or a mother-in-law nearby? There’s nothing wrong with asking if they would like to spend a few hours with their grandchild while you get some much-needed rest. If you don’t have family nearby that you can draw on, you can ally yourself with some friends or a nanny that your child feels happy and comfortable with.

Remember that all parents struggle with the feeling of not doing enough, and everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of the ‘job description’ for parents. But we all do the best we can. It sounds banal, but if you can lower your own expectations of yourself and find peace in the imperfect, it will give you much more mental and physical energy in your everyday life.