We always talk about an overstimulated child but parents are often overstimulated too!
School holidays can be long and hard; daily battles of kids arguing, babies crying, tv on so loud the whole street can hear, toys everywhere, food everywhere, sink full of pots, dog barking, phone pinging every 3 seconds, random children that aren't even yours running through the house, requests from children, requests from work, requests from family, requests from friends, requests from neighbours. It is constant and it is exhausting!
Here are some tips to help you reconnect with yourself:
1. Remove yourself from the chaos
Sounds simple yet we all know it is not! However, even if it is for 5 minutes here and there, take yourself away and breathe.
2. Connect to your senses and bring your heart rate back down
- Touch something cold/cold shower
- Smell a flower
- Put some calming music on
- Taste something sweet
- Watch a sensory visual on YouTube
3. Release that built up frustration/anger.
-Scream into a pillow or punch a pillow. If you have access to a punch bag - even better!
- Go for a walk in a large open space, let the kids run free and you do the same!
- Kick/throw a ball
- Complete a short workout via YouTube
4. Square breathing method
-Breathe in for 4 seconds
-Hold for 4 seconds
-Breathe out for 4 seconds
-Hold for 4 seconds
*Repeat*
5. NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
I can't emphasise this enough. We always think about how the kids need less stimulation but so do the adults. If you are sick to death of Peppa Pig or hearing the kids' constant noise (even if they are playing nicely) put some noise-cancelling headphones on and read a book or just sit in silence! They are in sight, they will survive even if you cannot hear every tiny thing they are doing, they are fine! Ensure you are too!
Remember, it is good for your children to see that you need a break too, you are not superhuman, you are human. Teach them that adults need space to rest.
Not only does this give them permission to rest which they will carry with them into adulthood, but it also helps them to understand you are not a robot who has all the answers in 1 millisecond.
Get down to your Child's level and tell them you need to take 5 minutes of quiet time but you will be back to answer their questions as soon as you have had that time.
Model what you need.
For further support please contact me at sakura1counselling@gmail.com