Spring exhaustion isn't only for kids. 5 tips for parents
Ah, spring.
Where I live, it’s a time of rain (you’ve probably heard me complain about the rain before - it feels never ending) and anticipation. In a recent blog post, I talked about all the reasons that spring can be really hard for our kids. Go check it out.
But what about us parents? Spring can be pretty difficult for us too. Is this you?
Tired of the endless fights about schoolwork, what’s done and what’s missing.
Exhausted by the endless kid shuttling between activities and sports.
Worn out by the routine of school and in need of a vacation but it’s still months away.
Yea, me too.
So what’s a parent to do when the spring overwhelm hits? Here are 5 ideas.
Plan for your summer. Who else has rose-colored visions of long summer days? Yea, it’s usually not like that. There are a lot of balls to juggle. So some planning now will make a big difference, especially for kids who need structure and like to know what to expect. Will that look like daycamps, or sleep-away camps, or even jobs or volunteering for older kids? Family vacations? Will you need child care?
Get your kids involved in the summer planning process. What are their priorities? Are they looking forward to time with friends, fun outings, or a special trip? Can they help plan any pieces? Can they research options or help pick activities? Getting them involved not only takes some of the work off your shoulders, but also gets them invested in what’s to come.
Talk to your kids about the spring slump. How are they feeling? What can you do to support them through the end of the school year? Knowing what they need can ease the stress of guessing and worrying!
Get outside. I struggle with this one when it’s pouring outside and I feel buried by work and home obligations, but I always feel better when I spend even a little time outside. Walk, garden, sit in the sun for a few minutes. It all helps.
Do something that makes you happy. In between all those sport carpools, can you carve out a bit of time to something that is focused on you? Doesn’t have to be big or expensive (and definitely doesn’t have to be a bubble bath or pedicure!), just something that gives you joy. My go-tos include going for coffee with a friend, reading, and going for a hike.
What are your top spring fatigue fighting tips?
Drop me an email and share. I’m always looking for new things to try.
Before you leave, did you ever think Julia Child’s cooking show is just like parenting? It’s true and I wrote a blog post all about it!
