Baby D is three months old now, so sleep should be getting better soon, right? Wrong! While there are nights where he sleeps longer stretches, there are definitely still nights when he’s up every hour or two. And that makes a mama tired. Very tired. So the question for me becomes, how do I maintain patience with my older children on little to no sleep?
I asked this question to my friends on Facebook yesterday and got some excellent ideas that I’d like to share. If you’re a tired mommy trying to also be the best mommy you can be, this post is for you!
10 Tips to Help You Maintain Patience
1. Pray. This should be a given, but pray specifically for God to give you patience and energy and that He will help you know how to handle each situation. Also pray that your kids will be good listeners and happy.
2. Focus on God. This goes hand in hand with #1, but if you keep your focus on Him instead of how tired you are, you’ll have a much better day! You can do this, not only through prayer, but through listening to praise music and reading scripture.
3. Chocolate or coffee. It’s true, the effects of caffeine are temporary and can cause you to crash later, but if you just need a temporary boost until nap time, it can be your best friend. And chocolate is…well…lovely. So head to Dunkin’ Donuts and pick up a chocolate glazed donut and a mint mocha cappuccino.
4. Get out of the house. Today, we went to Wal-Mart. Not very exciting, but the kids weren’t hanging on me or needing to be entertained. You could go to the park or the library or Chick-Fil-A or even to wander around Hobby Lobby. A change of scenery works wonders for everyone.
5. Do something fun and different at home. Have a picnic in the living room, get out a toy that hasn’t been seen in a while, set up a messy play area, let them play in the bath, get ouit dress up clothes, play with Play-Doh. One new idea I was given by a friend was to give the kids a spoonful of peanut butter. It keeps them occupied for a good twenty minutes! To bad we have peanut allergies here. That sounds like something I’d enjoy! Coming up with something new for the kids to do helps them stay happy and saves you from losing your patience.
6. Put in a movie. String me up if you want, but a good, educational movie won’t hurt a child any more than a tired mama. Most kids movies are about 30 minutes, so pop one in during the baby’s nap time, snuggle up on the couch, and take a snooze. You’ll feel refreshed and the children will think they’ve had a fabulous treat!
7. Call grandma. Yes, it’s true. Sometimes even the best mommies need rescued. My wonderful mom has come to my rescue many, many times to give me a nap, a shower, or just an adult to talk to. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
8. Take a walk. Being out in the fresh air can help you feel less tired, keep your children happy, and wear them out so they’ll take long naps!
9. Find a friend. Have a play date. This provides a break for mom and something fun for the children. And again, worn out, tired children take the best naps!
10. Let it go! Let the housework slide for a day. Don’t worry about little messes. Take a nap instead. You’ll be thankful tomorrow for the extra rest you get today.
We tried several of these things yesterday, starting with prayer and praise music and adding in several activities throughout the day and I’m pleased to say it was a good day!
How about you? Do you do anything different on days that you’re extra tired to prevent problems before they start?
♥ ♥ Great ideas!! Great blog!!