Being there for your kids - Newborn Blues, Getting Ready for Pandemic School Year

Episode Date: July 20, 2021

A new mom wrote me recently about how overwhelmed she is. Trying to do it all is always exhausting. I encouraged her to share her feelings with hubby and then divide and conquer home chores and newborn bonding time. With the uncertainty of the Delta Variant of the coronavirus and the possibility of a second pandemic lockdown, another mom wrote her many questions that all parents have with the new school year looming. Active listening, honesty, and reliable information will work for her and her family. To be on the safe side, get vaccinated, socially distant, mask, and hand wash.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. I have a few more letters for you today. Here's one. Dear Dr. Robinson, I'm a new mom. My husband and I married two years ago while still in college. Boy, have our lives changed with little Jason's arrival two months ago. Bill helps me as best he can, but it's mostly on me. I feel like I'm spinning plates on a disc in the air. It's never ending, and they are all crashing down around me. It's all overwhelming. I'm letting the computer or television babysit little Jason while I do clothes or dishes. I'm a wreck when Bill gets home from work, so I grouse at him even when he's done nothing wrong. Help! Signed. Dear Beside. Breathe. Take a moment to hear me out.

I don't know any new mom who doesn't have some version of your story. Even when new is good, it's also different. Expanding your family is a blessing, but it takes some things. time getting used to. If you are trying to be a perfect mom and a perfect wife, good luck with that. Never good enough is a mantle never worn well. Breathe. Don't beat yourself up for doing the best you can under stressful circumstances. Also, share and delegate. If you haven't already, read to Bill your letter to me. He's your husband, partner, life mate. He may be stressed in his own right, and that's okay. If he's not pitching in because he's unaware of your feelings, that's on You. Sit down and talk about division of labor, not home and work. You being a stay-at-home mom is a

blessing, but also very much a job. What can you leave for Bill when he comes home in the evening? How can you share the load? He can have daddy time while you do chores, or he can help with the chores. Alternate putting Jason to bed as that snuggle time is bonding at its best. Finally, take time for yourself. At Jason's age, he's still taking two naps a day. When Jason is down for his naps, you go down for yours as well. Even if you're not actually sleeping, take at least 30-minute breather from your to-do list to re-energize. Guess what? You're worth it. And such pauses will relieve the crankiness so that your time both with Jason and with Bill when he gets home will be more quality time. With time and effort, you won't be so beside myself. Blessings, Dr. John.

Here's another letter. Dear Dr. Robinson, so what's the deal? Here it is nearly August. I'm all in on helping our kids get ready for the new school year. I'm looking forward to their return to school, giving me a break from 24-7 supervision and child care. Now, with the current pandemic, all of that's up in the air. Are the kids going back full-time to school in the fall? Is it safe for their return?

How do I prepare them for the unknown? Signed in the dark. Dear Inn, wow. I wish I had answers to your questions. We are all in the dark about where this coronavirus is going and how soon it will be gone. However possible, be open and honest with your kids. If you don't know, say so, and direct them to reliable sources. Stay up with your school district's plans for reopening as the plans are different everywhere.

Drill into your kids the safe habits of hand-washing, masking, and social distancing. Active list in their grumbles, but reinforce their safety. We all will return to normal, whatever that is. We just don't know when or how that will look. Hope this is helpful. Blessings, Dr. John. If these letters stir questions of your own, contact me through my website at www.org.

Thereformykids.com or email me at John Robinson.0.0.Belsouth.net. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist, and Christian author of Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of. Christian parenting is available online at Amazonbooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC-P-I-N-C.com.