Getting Sick Can Be A Good Thing...

I was reading a blog by "News Anchor Mom Jen" and she had a few tips, listed by Dr. Michele Borba, on how to "de-stress our kids". Out of the six tips listed I related closest to #3- "Keep Yourself Strong".

This is what it read...

• "Keep yourself strong. The Parents Magazine survey found that moms and dads were far more stressed today than their own parents were. Is there one thing you can change about your daily habits that might help you reduce that stress? Don’t expect to be able to help allay your kids’ stress levels until you've found a way to keep your own in check. Are you really watching what you eat (and reducing anxiety-increasers such as caffeine and sugar), exercising, getting enough rest, seeking the support of friends, or spending a quiet moment alone? Parenting Priority #1: Keep yourself strong so you can take care of your kids".

This week I have off from school for Spring Break and it literally is a BREAK! I have a horrible cold and my daughter has it now too, so we have been catching up on some much needed rest. It feels great just resting infront of the t.v. with my daughter. It has been a very long time since I have done "nothing" with her. I really do believe that I got sick because I was so stressed-out and run-down. Getting this cold was my body's way of telling me that I needed to take a break and luckily it happened on Spring Break!

Up until now, I have been indulging in caffeine and sugar for those late nights of studying and doing homework. The only exercise I have been getting is walking to and from class and I haven't seen any of my friends since before the semester started! Overall, I would say I haven't been following the "Parenting Priority #1- Keep yourself strong so you can take care of your kids".

This cold has made me realize how important it is to take care of myself, not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. My goal over Spring Break is to figure out exactly what I can do to reduce the amount of stress in my life. I already know that school is the major source of stress so I am taking it easy over the break, but I am also trying to catch up on my load of homework for the rest of the semester. Even though the last thing I feel like doing is more school work, I know it will help to reduce some stress in the long run.

Sources

Jen. (2008, Feb. 8). Kids and Stress. News Anchor Mom. Retrieved 03/17/08 from http://newsanchormom.blogspot.com/2008/02/kids-and-stress.html.

Maria. (2008, Jan. 11). I want to go to school, mom! Mommy of Four. Retrieved 03/17/08 from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://densonhomehealth.com/images/sick%2520child%25201.gif&imgrefurl=http://mariamommyof4.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-want-to-go-to-school-mom.html&h=384&w=333&sz=10&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=x-s5cwiY6EwfTM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=107&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsick%2Bmom%2Band%2Bchild%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den.