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Parenting can be tough during the best of times. An unstable socio-economic environment can make the creation of a secure home environment that much more difficult. Many families no longer have a stable home, and jobs are being lost faster than they’re being created. Pregnant and postpartum new mothers who are already dealing with massive fluctuations in hormones and brain chemistry are among the most at-risk during these difficult times. Plenty of blogs will give you ideas about saving money and stretching your dollars. I want to give you some tips to cope emotionally during a recession:
“¢Be honest. Ignoring your emotions or hiding your feelings can work against you. Whether you are mad, sad, glad, scared or some confusing combination of these, please know that it is O.K. for you to feel whatever is going on inside.
“¢Avoid comparison thinking. This is not a competition. It does not matter how the neighbors are doing for any purposes other than healthy collaboration. People around the world are affected by the United State’s recession, so let go of your feelings of guilt and the “should-have’s” running through your head. You will be more empowered by channeling that energy into creative, collaborative thinking instead.
“¢Connect. Connecting with other people and sharing your story can help you feel safe again and bring more peaceful moments to everyone. If you can do this face-to-face, great. If not, go online and find support groups to connect with there. Quality matters more than quantity. Connecting with just one person or group of people who can be present and supportive can do a world of good.
“¢Nurture yourself. Ask yourself what you love with each of your senses. What do you love to hear? What do you love to taste? What do you love to feel? What do you love to smell? What do you love to see? Write your answers down, and be creative. Nourish yourself with the best inexpensive or downright free treats you can. A cup of favorite tea or coffee can nourish your sense of taste, smell, touch, and even sight if you simply take the time to focus and enjoy it. Stroking a cat or dog can be tremendously soothing, nourishing your sense of touch and bringing a sense of connection at the same time. It is possible to become aware of beauty even in some of the most difficult moments.
“¢Ask for help. You do not need to prove your competence by trying to do everything alone. People may not realize you need help unless you let them know. Don”™t let pride or shame get in the way. Whether you need help with housing, food, finding information, a safe person to talk to, a little time for yourself away from your baby or some extra sleep, give yourself permission to ask. Asking doesn”™t guarantee you will receive the help you need, but it will dramatically increase your chances.
“¢Be grateful for one thing (or one hundred) every day. There is always something to be grateful for in every situation. Your kids, for instance. Forget whether anyone has new clothes or toys for Christmas. If you have each other, for these moments, that really is enough.
“¢Think creatively. About yourself, your unique skills and talents, and about problems you are working to solve. Avoid the pitfalls of trying to do something the same way it’s always been done. You have rich internal resources that you may not even be aware of. All you have to do is give yourself some credit, trust for a moment that you are worthy of creating a great life, and let your mind play with the possibilities.
“¢Educate yourself and Explore. The people at pic.tv , the public internet channel, are getting ready for the premiere of the Diary of a Single Mom. In their effort to help moms around the world, they are engaging bloggers to offer empowering ideas about parenting during a recession. Click through to find out more!
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