How to reduce stress in family life

less stress

Young woman with black hair on yellow background.

Less stress in family life

Life with children is colorful, loud, and full of surprises. There is laughter, arguing, cuddling, and playing. Sometimes there are tears and dawdling, and every now and then, doors slam. Children often challenge us, especially during developmental phases or when they simply have a strong temperament. For us as parents, this means constantly adapting to our child and their growth. However, most of the stress doesn't come from the child but from the many tasks in our daily lives, such as work, household chores, cooking, cleaning, shopping, appointments, and visits. A relaxing afternoon can quickly turn into impatience and frustration. The dentist appointment is approaching, but just before leaving, the kids are still playing and dawdling. Their teeth haven't been brushed, and their favorite toy has suddenly disappeared. The clock is ticking, and patience is running out. »We're going to be late for the dentist because you were dawdling.« Sentences like this slip out when our nerves are frayed, and we react with reproach. But if we repeatedly blame children for dawdling, it can trigger inner anxiety. Over time, it becomes harder for them to stay focused on their play and to engage patiently and attentively with their own ideas. However, it is not the child who creates the time pressure. Punctuality is the parents' responsibility, not the child's. Therefore, prepare your child for upcoming appointments in advance. Clear announcements like »We’ll brush our teeth in fifteen minutes«, supported by an egg timer, hourglass, or by pointing to the clock, can help. Make sure to consistently follow through with your announcements. Avoid vague phrases like »You can play a little longer, but then we have to brush our teeth«, as they don't give the child clear guidance. Once the announced time is up, it will be easier for the child to finish their activity. Get your child actively involved in the preparation process. Let them pack their favorite toy to take along in a small backpack. This helps children feel involved and makes the process easier for everyone.

A preschool child is sitting on the floor, packing their favorite toy into a yellow backpack.

Loving and trusting parenting requires above all time, calmness, and patience. Only then can parents sensitively support their children, listen attentively, and address developments and conflicts calmly, without constantly feeling under pressure. Many parents only realize how quickly the first ten years have passed when their children reach puberty and they can no longer make up for that time. With puberty, the relationship changes noticeably, and connecting with their children often becomes more difficult than in the early years.

An Indian preschool child hugs his mother.

When you ask children about their biggest wish, they usually say: More time with their parents.

Portrait of a man in front of a yellow background.

Easier through everyday family life

It's easy to say that a relaxed everyday life with children is possible. But in reality, things often look different, especially when stress persists and leaves us feeling overwhelmed. Stress is a part of life, but when it takes up too much space, it burdens both us and our children. A calmer family life with more ease, time, and peace begins with a crucial question: How do I want to organize my life? Answering this question honestly isn't always easy. Change takes time, and not everything can be implemented from one day to the next. Nevertheless, it's possible to face the challenges of everyday life and identify the causes of our own stress. By consciously questioning our priorities, we can gradually adjust our daily routine and create many relaxing moments with our children.

Father and daughter hugging in the park.

Constant stress is harmful
Stress is like an invisible backpack full of stones that gets heavier the longer we carry it. Constant stress causes increasing difficulty in calming down, creating a negative cycle.

‍I can't switch off
When we are under constant stress, our body stays tense, so we can't even relax in the evening. The stress lingers and prevents us from fully unwinding. Only by actively addressing it can we regain a sense of calm.

‍Where are the car keys?
Stress reduces our ability to remember. We forget appointments, misplace items, or lose track of what we wanted to do. Taking notes and regular breaks helps reduce the strain on our memory.

‍Stress inhibits parental abilities
When we are constantly stressed, it becomes difficult to raise children. Essential skills like compassion, patience, organization, focus, and understanding are often limited in such situations.

Family stress puts a strain on children
Under stress, we are often impatient and irritable. This unsettles children, leaving them feeling helpless, sad, and alone.

Stress makes us louder
When we are stressed, we often react loudly and scold quickly. This can hurt children and make them feel intimidated, even though they are not the cause of our stress.

Don't be like that!
Under stress, we are quicker to see the negative in our children's behavior, and small conflicts seem bigger than they actually are. Children are full of energy and present us with challenges, as this is part of their natural development.

Children are exhausting!
Under stress, we are quicker to see the negative in our children's behavior, and small conflicts seem bigger than they actually are. Children are full of energy and present us with challenges, as this is part of their natural development.

Questioning high expectations
Sometimes we expect children to live up to our expectations. But such expectations put both us and our children under pressure. Children need space to grow, without comparisons to others and without the pressure of excessive demands.

Perfection is not necessary
The demand to always do your best at work, at home, or as a parent only puts you under pressure. Be kind to yourself because even doing less is perfectly fine.

Take time for yourself
‍Taking 15 minutes a day to relax is enough to recharge your energy. This is not selfish but gives you the strength you need for your daily life.

Relaxing in nature
A walk in the forest or park is relaxing for everyone. Being active in the fresh air helps to let go of stress and gives parents and children new energy.

Relaxing together
Listen to a favorite song, look at a book together, or have a quick cuddle. Such small breaks reduce stress and bring a smile to your child's face.

‍Practicing gratitude
Listing one or two positive moments with your child in the evening shifts your focus away from stress and challenges. This helps you end the day on a positive note and recharge for the next day.

A shares goal
Parents who support each other manage daily stress more easily, leaving more time and space for positive moments with their family.

Don't be like that!
Constant stress reduces our compassion. We often expect more from our children than they are capable of and fail to see that they need our support. A kind tone and encouraging words boost their self-confidence and help them face challenges more effectively.

Don’t overlook the smile
Under stress, we often overlook the beautiful moments in everyday life, like our children's smiles or their small gestures of affection.

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