Being there for your kids - Raising Kids--What to do when there's too much to do.

Episode Date: October 8, 2018

Raising your kids is the toughest job for which most parents are not prepared to do. Balancing the endless demands of childhood with the rest of your live is quite a challenge. Learning to delegate to your "village" and finding "me-time" in the mayhem, gives you the balance to take care of yourself and your kids. In Matthew 22:29, Jesus calls the second greatest commandment to "love one another as you love yourself." Taking care of your needs, through delegating and me-time, creates quality parenting for your kids.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. You know, it's true. Parenting is a 24-7, 365-day job with no time off, no vacation, no breaks. Remember when that little newborn was laying on your chest right after their birth, despite the pains of childbirth, and don't let anyone try to convince you that it's just pressure. New parents feel an understandable mix of joy, terror, excitement, pressure, relief, and dread. Joey was sweating. Her hair matted and her heart racing just after having given birth to Hannah. She reached out to the nurse who held Tiny Hannah and extended her to place in Jody's awaiting arms.

New Daddy, Tommy, leaned in smiling, witnessing the blessing of their new family. Jody looked back and forth from Hannah to Tommy. Terrifying questions flooded her mind. Oh my gosh. What have we gotten ourselves into? Can I do this? Am I ready? this little bundle of human being is totally helpless and completely my responsibility. It's also true that raising children takes a village. We lucky parents have the available resources of our children's grandparents, extended family, neighbors, co-ops, playgroups, daycares,

church groups, and many other personalized resources. Being alone with your newborn is avoidable, but you have to reach out. You have to ask. When our children were home, Maggie and I developed a concept of what we call tag team parents. When one of us was done, exhausted or at our wits end, we could reach out and tag the other. You're it. Tag other people in your lives when there's too much to do. Other things to do when there's too much to do include delegate, organize, make lists, plan ahead, streamline, and make time to chill out. Many new parents race around doing everything

that was on hold while the baby was awake. Do those things with your new baby, and she will get used to household routines and not scream for your attention endlessly. Rule of thumb for new moms, when Hannah is sleeping, or at least resting. If you don't give yourself time for your needs and feelings called self-care, your time for your baby, called other care, will be less meaningful for both of you. When there's too much to do, go for a balance between self-care and other care. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist, and this has been teachable moments.