Being a parent is not an easy job because of the challenges and problems you will encounter like how can you raise your children well having good discipline and the right manners. Do you think you are responsible enough to provide for all their needs and can take good care of them every time they are sick? When does parenting get less exhausting?
Why is Being a Parent so Exhausting?
Being a parent can be exhausting sometimes because of the different roles you need to perform. Parents can be a teacher, nurses, carpenters, chefs, managers, and housemaids at the same time. Name those professions you want to mention and the parent has all of them in one person. It can be exhausting when you need to wake up late at night to breastfeed your baby who is hungry for a mother's milk. When the diaper is full, you need to change it regularly to avoid the baby's skin rashes. It can be more exhausting if you impose discipline on your children and because there are hard-headed kids, they will not follow and obey those rules.
What is the Most Exhausting Age to Parent?
Toddler Stage. The first two years of parenting are the most exhausting age to parent, especially when after marriage, a newborn baby will come on its way. Coming from different backgrounds, you and your spouse are still in the period of making adjustments like mood swings of your wife, some vices of your husband, source of your finances, and how you will manage your time being their first time parents and a partner to your spouse. The most exhausting baby age as a parent is during the toddler stage (between 1 year - 2 years old). At childbirth, newborn babies are kept on sleeping day and night, you can sleep at the same time while they fall asleep.
Teething Period. I am a father of two, and my youngest is 1 year and 3 months old. At this toddler stage, we always had sleepless nights with my wife especially when her teeth starts to appear on her gums and started to grow. This can be stressful especially when your baby is sick like having a fever and diarrhea because of teething. Many times I need to fight with my baby because she wants things on her own not mindful that it can cause harm to her. If I'm reprimanding her, she won't listen and keep on doing what she wants to do.
Learning Process. At this stage also, babies are learning how to walk independently. It can be tiring sometimes as you keep on watching him from falling. This is the start of becoming a teacher to them as the learning process begins like teaching them how to make sounds and pronounce some basic words.
Does Being a Parent Ever Get Easier?
Before you will decide to raise your own family, think about responsibilities. Being a parent at first is not an easy role. You need to be responsible enough to sustain the basic needs of your family especially if you are a father who is the pillar or foundation of the family. You need to find a job to sustain the needs of babies like their milk, vitamins, and diapers. The answer to the question, when does parenting get less exhausting is when your children start to work on their own and they can stand alone without your help. Parenting can be exhausting but it can be rewarding especially when your children will start reaching their ambitions in life. You will be the happiest person on earth when your children become professionals and start to raise their own families. You will be so proud when they will finish their studies, find a stable job, and will start to settle down with their life partners.
How Can Parents Avoid Parental Burnout?
Ask for someone's help. To avoid parental burnout, ask for help if you cannot do it on your own. If your mother is available or some family member, then you can ask for their favor like to watch for your baby or kids if you have some important things to do.
Relaxation is needed. Spend quality time like having a family bonding or special date with your spouse like a dinner date in a well-known restaurant. Your body gets tired if you keep on working and performing your role as a parent. You need to spend time outside like going to the beach, strolling in the park, or going to a cinema for you to be entertained and relaxed.
Impose Discipline as Early as Possible. If your children have good manners and right conduct, they will follow and obey you as their parents. They don't want to commit mistakes or anything that can make their parents mad. At an early age, you need to discipline your children well, so when they grow up they will become good individuals who have the same attitudes and good manners as you.
Meditation. If you are weak inside, then your body becomes weaker also. Your faith matters this time. Start each day with a prayer and meditate on His word for you to be enlightened and have inner strength and courage each day.
Parenting is the noblest job anyone can experience in this world. It is fulfilling and rewarding if you raise your kids well. Being a good parent is not an easy job as you need to be the role model of your kids. You must be responsible enough as you are the source of their guidance, protection, security, love, and un-ending care. As a parent, you prioritize first the needs of your children than buying things on your own. What you are doing today is for their bright future. I admire and salute those parents who will do everything just to raise their children well. Your role can be exhausting sometimes but it's a blessing that you fulfill your purpose why you become their parents. So continue to be a good parent to your children because all of your efforts and sacrifices are not in vain.