Extracurricular Overload How To Demystify Your Kids’ Jampacked Schedules
a lighthouse on every page. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law. Form parent alliances. It’s vital that you and your partner coordinate availability and who’s driving when, but you should go further than that. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and those teammates have parents shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools to manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. Maintain balance. This might come as a surprise, but you will have to say no to your child every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, procrastinating, sleeping too much, and lashing out are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find healthy coping mechanisms. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. No single method works for everyone, so experiment with the following healthy techniques. Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reaction to predictable stressors by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Avoid people or situations that stress you out — though this does not mean you should avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and be able to forgive.
As school starts up again, so do sports, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Managing their schedules can seem impossible, but don’t let yourself get burned out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind. Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking strategies into one system. You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with It often feels like there is nothing you can do about stress, but you have a lot more control than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control. Identify Sources While it’s easy to identify major sources of stress, such as moving or changing jobs, recognizing sources of chronic stress is more difficult. To identify sources, look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it. Find Healthy Strategies Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol,
and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.
DealingWith Stress Healthy Coping Mechanisms That Put You in Control
Make Time for Relaxation Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for self-care, you will be better positioned to handle life’s stressors. Develop a stress relief toolbox. Give yourself the option of going for a walk, spending time in nature, calling a good friend, journaling, getting a massage, or reading a book. Live a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.
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