Changes in life and balancing family responsibilities can be stressful. Sometimes can be too much and we can feel tired, angry, depressed, nervous, and guilty. At times, we can even get skin rashes, headaches or backaches. Stress can’t always be avoided but here’s what you can do to make it easier to handle:
Make Time for Yourself
Parents want to do the best for their children. You will be a better parent if you take the time to look after yourself.
- Slow down and try to relax
- Eat well
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Be physically active everyday
- Be open to learning new things
- Take some quiet time for yourself each day
- Meet with other parents by joining a parenting group
- Talk to someone you trust, for example your husband, wife, partner, grandparent
Make Time for Each Other
A healthy relationship is one where both partners:
- feel valued and good about themselves
- speak honestly
- share responsibility
- trust and respect each other
- are fair in conflicts
- are partners in financial decisions
Dealing With Anger
Getting angry is a reaction we have to stress and it happens to all of us at one time or another. Getting frustrated or angry is not unusual. What matters is what we do with our anger.
Never shake a baby out of anger. If you ever feel you are so angry you may hurt your child try these simple steps:
- Put the baby in a safe place such as a crib
- Leave the room
- Try to calm down by taking several deep slow breaths
- Call for help. Try a friend, family member, public health department, leader of your faith community, social service agency or the distress line 416-408-HELP (4357)
Family Violence
- Family violence is abuse that happens in a family or close relationship. Family violence is always wrong. It can happen in any type of family, one parent, two parent, rich or poor, including parents/caregivers who abuse their children.
- Intimate Partner Violence is a form of gender-based violence that occurs within an intimate relationship.
- You don’t have to be physically hurt to be abused. Family violence can be physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse or neglect.
- When children see abuse it hurts them. Children who see abuse are more likely to be abused or abuse others when they grow up.
- Family violence should not be kept a secret. Both the person being abused and the abuser need help. For more information and to get the confidential support and services call:
Toronto Public Health 416-338-7600 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or
Assaulted Women’s Helpline 416-863-0511 (24 hours)
