I’m not going to beat around the bush with this one, parenting can be STRESSFUL.
I thought I knew how difficult parenting little kids was before had my own. The truth of the matter is though, that I had zero clue what I was in for- which all in all was probably a good thing!
There are many days where I am convinced that my kids are actively trying to push me to the end of my limits with their behaviour. I’m sure many parents can relate to the fact that I’m not sure which is worse- thinking that they may be actively trying to push my buttons or the knowledge is that they’re not even trying and yet they are magically able to.
Yes, parenting spirited little people is a challenge, because as my colleague, and amazing behavioural therapist Cori Stern would tell you, between the ages of 18 months to 4 years old kids learn the amazing power behind the word no and LOVE using it!
There are definitely parenting days where I want to pull my hair out, but for the most part my kids are wonderful amazing beings who (in my totally unbiased opinion) are god’s gift to the world. So when the days come when they can win the gold medal in the olympic sport that is “being impossible toddlers” I can chalk it up to the fact that occasionally dealing with impossible toddlers is just a normal part of parenting.
As parents we have to come to terms with the fact that there are lots of very normal stresses associated with being a parent that we are not going to get away from.
First night home with a newborn? Stressful
First time your child is sick? Stressful
When your child decides to drop an entire jar of sprinkles after you’ve just washed the floor? Stressful!
Teenage years? I’m pretty sure we should just generally skip them.
But mealtime? Mealtime should never have to be included on that list.
Don’t get me wrong, mealtime CAN be stressful. Mealtime for many families is the most stressful part of their day. But it doesn’t have to fall onto the list of things that parents just “have to deal with” or aren’t able to do anything about.
Feeling like you need to pull your hair out at meal time 3 times a day (not including snacks) day after day after day shouldn’t be chalked up to normal parenting stress.
It’s EXHAUSTING
It’s FRUSTRATING
It’s DEBILITATING
I’m not saying that changing mealtime is easy, or even something that you need to change if you aren’t ready. What I am saying is that it is something that you CAN deal with if you want to. Mealtime leaves too many parents and too many children feeling downright awful by the end of the day.
The good news is, that no matter how stressed you are at mealime now; no matter how difficult you think your child is; no matter how long your mealtime has been like this, there are strategies that can be put in place to completely improve your mealtime.
The one tip I encourage for parents in for creating lasting changes in mealtime is focusing on ONE thing you can do today. The big picture is overwhelming- or it can be for many families. Instead of focusing on how far your family may have to go to create a mealtime you would love, or writing a complete list of the foods you would love to see your kids eating tomorrow focus on ONE thing you can do today, or this week to to shift you in the right direction!
I would love to hear the ONE thing you would love to change this week for your family. For more ideas and strategies for finding your one thing be sure to head over to my community of amazing moms on FB!
