Being a parent is very rewarding, as they say. But what a lot of people forget to tell first-time parents about is the shocking and drastic change in your life once you start being a parent. Suddenly you’re caught between tending to your child and having to do housework, or sometimes you want to get some work done, but your toddler wants to hog all your attention all day long.
If this is the case for you, you might now be spending much quality time with your children. It can be especially challenging if you are separated from your child’s other parent, in which case you have to ensure that you get child support. Nevertheless, you’ve acknowledged that you need to spend more time with your child, but you also don’t want to leave behind all other responsibilities you have. Here are some tips you can consider so you can become a more present parent:
Wake Up Before the Rest of the Household
This is especially helpful for the busy parent who has a lot to do throughout the day. Being able to have some quiet time before everyone else starts to rush for the day is precious. Make your coffee peacefully, do some meditation, or read a bit before officially starting your day. This way, you are starting your day calm instead of rushed or disoriented.
Note that waking up early doesn’t necessarily mean waking up hours before everyone else. It can be just fifteen to thirty minutes of quiet time. Choose relaxed activities to help you start your day calmly. It can be challenging at first, and you might feel the need to start cooking or cleaning immediately, but just a quick fifteen to thirty minutes to yourself can make a big difference to how you interact with your children.
Find Personal Time to Exercise
If you want to be present for your children, you also have to make sure that you are in the right head space and physical ability to be there for them. Therefore, you have to take care of yourself. Find time alone to exercise and keep your body active. Exercising is proven to help improve physical and mental health,soa daily jog or yoga session can impact your well-being. The less stressed you are, the more you can focus on your child.
Make Sure You Eat Dinner Together
Children respond well to schedule and routine, soletting them experience eating dinner with you regularly every night will help make them feel more engaged and secure. Letting your child know what is currently happening to them and what will happen next (like chores) teaches them good habits, and it also helps them gain agency and independence gradually. Also, the time you spend at the dining table together is a way for you to engage with your child, have meaningful conversations with them, and let them be able to share and open up to you about themselves.
Your Kids Need to Sleep Early
Not only is sleeping early needed for their growth and development, but it’s also a way for you to make the rest of the evening a bit less chaotic. It’s a good way to wind down, so to speak. Having a few hours to complete some tasks, read a book, or watch a movie without the kids isn’t selfish. It’s you taking care of yourself so that you can take care of your loved ones better.
Another good thing about your kid’s bedtime is the nightly routine you’re establishing with them. Reading bedtime stories or letting your child talk about their day is a great way to engage with them and be present while training them to have good bedtime routines and habits.
Put Down Your Phone
It’s very, very important that when you allow yourself to be with your child, you’re actually a hundred percent present. Especially with how technology is a commodity even for toddlers these days, it can be a bad habit that they pick up from the entire family if your child always sees the adults on their gadgets almost all the time. Sowhen you areat the dining table, make sure phones are put down. While you are helping your child go to bed, it’s better to put your phone away and get to it once they are asleep.
As a parent, there are a lot of things that you have to change about your lifestyle. Remember, it’s not just you anymore; you have your baby now. It’s important to be there for your child and help them grow up to be good adults, too.