Tips on how to handle life stressors
As families, we are in a constant period of transition. When I think of my own three boys, it seems that whenever I get used to where they are at developmentally, emotionally, or even just their habits or routine, they go and change! This often requires my wife and I to adjust our parenting and take a different approach. With change comes stress and sometimes results in me not always living up to the father that I planned to be before having children.
change + stress = regression
Families will go through many different transitions. Here are just a few:
Move (this was a big change for our family moving from Michigan to Mississippi)
Starting school or going to a new school.
Divorce
Children moving off to college.
Grandparent coming to stay with the family.
Death of a close member of the family.
Here are some tips to help your family handle change that occurs:
Frontload
Have a family meeting. Talk about what changes you may be anticipating. This allows children to feel more in control during the change which will help to reduce emotional or behavioral outbursts.
Listen
Hear what your family members have to say. You don't always have to agree them, but allow them to express how they feel.
Put Words To It
One of the hardest things when being under stress is not understanding where it may be coming from. It's normal to be stressed if you are moving with kids or if your daughter is switching to a new school due to being bullied. It often provides a sense of relief when the areas of stress can be identified.
