Here’s a question for you:
Would you attempt a cross-country drive without a single gallon of gas in your car’s tank?
At the risk of stating the obvious, nobody in their right mind would try to take a trip in a vehicle that lacks fuel!
Then, why, OH WHY, do so many of us attempt one of the world’s most difficult endeavors without any fuel???
Perhaps rocket scientists or brain surgeons may argue that their job is harder, but I beg to differ: Parenting children in this day and age has got to be the most challenging (and, hopefully, rewarding!) job in the world.
Just like the minivan without gas, or the Everest-climber missing his equipment, or my son’s remote-controlled car without batteries- we parents cannot accomplish much when we are running on empty.
Have you snapped at your child lately or otherwise demonstrated an undisciplined lack of patience?
(Yup, me too…)
The vast majority of the times that we ‘slipped’ we were tired, hungry, angry, or otherwise disturbed.
That’s a reason, not an excuse!
Now, that doesn’t mean that we have free reign to yell at our kids just because we’re stressed out!
What it does mean is that we MUST take responsibility for our irritability and impatience.
How can a harried, exhausted mom expect to serve dinner with the same serenity as a relaxed, content dad?
Now that we have established that parents must be ‘fueled-up’ in order to raise their small souls, what type of ‘gasoline’ ought to be used?
Well, there’s a choice at the pump: 87, 89, or 93!
Fuel 87) Physical exercise.
Paradoxically as it may seem, exercise actually gives you more energy. Endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ hormones are released for sixteen hours after your work out. Think of exercise as the natural alternative to Prozac- it just makes you happier and calmer!
Be a better parent- an extraordinarily, fabulously more effective parent this year- and add 30-NON-NEGOTIABLE minutes of exercise to your day, every day!
If you absolutely don’t have time, make the time! Turn it into an activity that involves your children. Try a dance or aerobics DVD with your child- my boys love to jump and laugh along with me! All youngsters love stability balls, light dumbbells, and steppers!
Here are 2 of my absolute FAVORITE DVD’s: Tight on Time & Quick Fix!
Fuel 89) Friendship.
As a busy parent, you are quite concerned about your child’s social life, birthday parties, and never-ending play-dates.
However, when was the last time you scheduled a grown-up play-date?
Having frequent contact with good friends will improve your physical and emotional health, and breathe a fresh ray of sunshine into your daily life.
MEET A FRIEND this week, and watch out for that extra bounce in your step!
Fuel 93) A Hobby.
Before you skip this section because you think you do not have any hobbies, you can replace the title with “stuff I like”.
There’s a good chance that you spend an enormous amount of time, money, and energy providing things that your child likes, while you forget about what YOU like!
When was the last time you played your favorite sport, created a beloved craft project, or read a good book? Try to recall the activities that gave you a ‘high’ before you were a parent, and then schedule them back into your life; it will transform you into a new-and-improved parent.
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So, there you have it- all the ‘gas’ that a mom or dad needs, just to turn the ignition and begin the journey.
Just as nobody experiences guilt when they gas up their car for a trip, there ought not be any feelings of guilt when you take the time to fulfill your own needs!
Once you are properly fueled, you’ll need more provisions for your cross-country trip: food, a map, a GPS system, oil, and windshield wiper fluid- to name a few. Stay tuned for coming RaisingSmallSouls articles for more ‘equipment’ on your parenting journey!