Springtime Stress-Management for Families
Springtime Stress-Management for Families
It’s April. Springtime is here! You start to feel excited for the increasing temperatures, the end of the school-year approaching, and summer fun with your family. Suddenly, you glance around your house and notice the clutter, the sound of your kids arguing in the other room, and the alarm on your phone signaling a reminder for you to figure out childcare for the summer. You’re jolted from your daydream of lazy days playing with the kids and reading your favorite book at the beach as you remember that work does not stop, your kids are not always happy and well-behaved, and it’s been a little too long since you last cleaned the bathroom. The excitement you’d begun to feel quickly turns to stress building up and taking over as you remember all the things on your to-do list this time of year. You are not alone. So often the fun things we look forward to this time of the year bring along with them more ‘to-dos’ and extra stress. Rest assured, we’re here to help! Keep reading for some mindful strategies that will help you navigate springtime stress more smoothly.
What makes springtime so stressful?
Emotional and mental fatigue after a long school year
Juggling final projects, testing, and school events
Pressure to finalize summer plans (vacations, childcare, camps)
Spring cleaning and household organization
Shifts in routines and schedules as the school year winds down
Signs of Seasonal Stress
Increased irritability or conflict at home
Difficulty sleeping
Constantly feeling “on edge”
Overwhelm, decision fatigue, or difficulty staying organized
Kids acting out more or showing signs of burnout
Strategies to Help you Manage Springtime Stress
Create a Flexible but Clear Plan
Map events and deadlines out using a calendar
Plan in smaller steps, breaking it down into categories (vacation, childcare, activities, home) and take on one thing at a time.
Invite older kids to help with the planning
Remind yourself it is alright to say no to extra commitments
Manage your Expectations
As parents, we often feel the pressure to be perfect. We tell ourselves “the house must be spotless”, “the kids must always be engaged in something and entertained.” Be sure to mindfully monitor any thoughts and expectations you place on yourself. When you catch unhelpful self-talk, instead focus on what’s going well, and what’s “good enough”.
Prioritize Self-Care (Even in Small Ways)
Whether it’s a quick walk, taking a breath break, or going on a solo run to the grocery store, make time for yourself. Doing so not only helps you feel better, but it also helps model healthy stress-management for your kids. When we acknowledge our less than enjoyable feelings, and talk openly about how we cope with them, our children learn to do the same.
Make Spring Cleaning a Family Event
As you likely already know, keeping a “perfect” home as a parent is not an easy task- nor should it be your goal. Teach kids responsibility by involving them in cleaning the home. Assign age-appropriate tasks to the kids. Even toddlers can help with things like putting away laundry, or bringing you the paper towels. Add some fun by making it a game or a family challenge, and before you know it, things will be a little bit more in order around the house.
Make Time For Relaxation
Finally, don’t over-schedule yourselves or the kids. Allowing for downtime between camps, vacations, and other commitments will help you reset and recharge. Quiet time and screen-free entertainment are important for both children and adults. Be sure to build these into your schedule regularly.
Identifying When More Help is Needed
Planning and utilizing self-care strategies can go a long way in helping families cope with seasonal stress, however, it’s important to recognize when more support is needed. Ongoing mood changes, unexplained physical symptoms of stress, difficulty keeping up with responsibilities, or becoming avoidant or withdrawn are all signs that more help may be needed to address your stress level.
Why Reach out to a Mental Health Professional?
We all need extra help sometimes. Connecting with a licensed therapist when the stress of life becomes too much is a smart, proactive step toward emotional well-being. A mental health professional can help:
Provide a safe space to process emotions and stressors without judgement
Teach coping tools tailored to the needs of you and your family
Assist in setting healthy boundaries, improving communication, and navigating difficult transitions like school-year endings or schedule shifts
So, if clutter and chaos begin to fill your mind this spring, remember to take a deep breath, and return your attention to your breathing. Notice the breath as it goes in, and then out. Remind yourself that stress is a normal part of life, and though it’s not something we’d like to have tag along on our journey, it will often do just that. Always remember, stress is manageable, and you can still have a wonderful spring as you prepare for the busyness, new routines, and fun ahead!