How are you at juggling an infant carrier, the diaper bag, a toddler in toe, and dropping off at day care or school – and then getting to work?
Are you mastering the art of juggling? There is laundry, grocery shopping, appointments, activities, and maybe – going to work! Perhaps, too, it is time for you and your partner to have a “date” night – What is that?
Do you have memories of the days before you had a child? What kind of manager of personal affairs were you back then?
Were you a master or disaster in taking care of the business of life?
You are in a new department now that requires higher levels of organization. What might have worked before, a more “flying by the seat of your pants” approach – definitely requires more planning now! Running out to grab a box of diapers, or doing laundry after the last crib sheets are soiled, is likely to have everyone living on edge. Add in, one fussy baby reacting to his anxious, stressed parents who are feeling “out of control.”
If this is your life, you may adore that sweet little face, and be all kisses and hugs when she smiles back at you. Or, when that roller coaster takes a dip and nothing consoles your baby, and the toddler is screaming for attention – what do you do first? Who is on duty, and who is off attending to his or her personal needs? The rules of the game have changed from the days before children – are you and your partner in agreement, or on different pages?
“Life After Children” is different, and regardless of your personality style – a whole new level of communication is needed now that life is about taking care of little people who cannot care for themselves. A baby, a toddler, and young child with a stay at home parent, or both parents working, face many challenges in figuring out what is realistic given their resources.
Some parents believe in giving their children “everything” or the benefits of every opportunity, and in the process are unable to recognize – this is at the expense of quality relationships. Stressed drop offs and pickups, running late, and whining for snacks and shuttling between activities – what happens to your ability to patiently listen and calmly respond? Super moms and dads are over-scheduled like their children, leaving patience in short supplies. What was supposed to be fun – can deteriorate into everyone melting down.
Recognize when the jugglers and juggling needs a rest – for a happier and less stressed family.