Being there for your kids - What To Do When There's Too Much To Do

Episode Date: June 15, 2019

Oh, boy! You did it now. You and your partner just had your first baby. Parenting is a 24/7/365, full-time, never-ending job. Like a circus act, just how do you keep all those plates spinning in the air at the same time? Several things come to mine. With newborns, when they sleep, you sleep, or at least rest. You can get other things done while your baby is awake, and they will get more quickly used to sharing your time and attention. Also, use your extended family and village to delegate, organize, schedule, make lists, and the like to keep from being overwhelmed and yourself on track. Finally, don't forget to balance self-care with other-care. Good nutrition, rest, play, and exercise is not only good for you, but also increases the quality time you do have with your baby. Try these things when you wonder what to do when there's too much to do.

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. Joy 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. 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, play groups, 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 parenting. 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 how. household routines and not scream for your attention endlessly. Rule of thumb for new moms. When Hannah is sleeping, Jody 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. 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.