Stress Management: Parent Self Care is essential for reducing children from being injured

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/ue5091#tp20227

Parent Self-Care is essential for developing connections between your well-being and your child’s safety.  Taking care of yourself is a vital part of keeping your child safe. All parents have times when they feel overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted and angry, etc. As this is a normal part of life. However, if your emotions and feelings become too much for you to handle alone, then there is a higher chance that you may respond to your child in a healthy way that may result in injury. For example, you may not have the energy or desire to watch your child as closely as you should. Nor have the patience to reinforce your family rules thus could result in some form of abuse or neglect occurring, i.e., emotional abuse (yelling, name-calling, withholding your love and attention), physical abuse (grabbing, shaking, hitting, or pushing) your child.  Although injuries can occur at any time, many happen during times of excess stress, such as when:

• There are disruptions to the family’s routine/structure
• Parents and children are hungry and tired
• Experiencing unplanned traveling events
• Change in the home/work environment
• Change in income
• Relationship problems develop
• Taking care of a loved one
• Physical or mental health concerns

Therefore it is vitally important that we recognize the signs of stress and what situations cause it. A few signs are

• feel exhausted
• frustrated
• angry
• sad
• overwhelmed
• depressed
• overeating
• not eating
• feeling anxious

For more information regarding stress, see the topic Stress Management.

A few ways to deal with stress

• Identifying and utilizing your circle of support of who can assist you during this period
• Exploring and participating in on and offline support groups/parenting groups
• Identifying local resources for counselors, therapist,
• Scheduling a medical check-up
• Exercising, using meditation/yoga strategies
• Connecting with God/Spiritual leader with prayer and mediation
• Listening to soothing/uplifting music
• Walking in nature or by the ocean
• Call 911 right away if you feel that you are about to injure yourself or your child.

For more information on physical harm to children, see the topic:

• Shaken Baby Syndrome.
• Child Abuse and Neglect.

For more information on handling difficult emotions, see the topic:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Anger, Hostility, and Violent Behavior.

In summary, being a parent is hard work, and by following the above strategies, it may support you and your child during planned and unplanned events and traveling experiences.

For more information about Traveling Toddlers, click here and read our latest blog post click here.  Thanks for visiting our website.

Back to the website