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Parenting can be stressful. How do you manage your emotions?

Discussion forum for parents in Australia

Parenting can be stressful. How do you manage your emotions?

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Super star contributor
taokat

Parenting can be stressful. How do you manage your emotions?

Parenting has been the most challenging thing I've ever done, but has also brought me the most precious rewards. It's also taught me the most about myself - how and why I tick the way I do.

 

It can be rollercoaster of emotions, that like our teens, we sometimes struggle to cope with. It's a conversation that I've had a few times recently - how do we manage our own emotions parenting can bring up of:

  • fear
  • worry
  • dread
  • sadness
  • hurt, including seeing our kids hurting
  • guilt
  • shame
  • doubt
  • mistrust

Can you think of any more to add @lizard0812? There's a gamut of them!!

 

A fantastic technique @Beingme2017 suggested at the chat night was to think about how you would approach the situation if it were a friend coming to you with your worries and fears. What would you say to them and how would you encourage them to process it? I love that technique as it allows you to separate yourself from the emotion of the situation, which is what often gets in our way.

 

So we'd love to know -

What are your coping techniques for dealing with the emotions of parenting?