Parenting Rx - Your Prescription for Calm!

As humorous as the above images are, parenting doesn't come with an instruction book and it's one of the hardest roles you'll have the privilege to play. If I'm being honest, successful parenting is as much about taking care of yourself as it is taking care of your child. If you've ever been on a plane you've undoubtedly sat through the same security message prompting you to, in case of an emergency, secure your own air-mask before securing the air-mask of anybody else. Although you shouldn't need to secure an "air-mask" in the day-to-day care of your child, the same lesson holds true.

There is no quick fix to the stress of parenting, however, stress recovery is possible. It begins with awareness. Take time to enjoy the “aha" moments each day by just being still. This is a gift you have the choice to give yourself, with no strings attached! Here's how: Imagine . . . close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then slowly blow it out. Simple right? Peace fills your body from the top of your head down to your toes. Wow! “If you want to be happy be”, Leo Tolstoy, a Russian writer and best known for the novel War and Peace (1869).

Your anxiety and stress impacts everybody - your family, friends, and colleagues. Be mindful and know your limits by scheduling down time, create boundaries for TV and screen time. Your children will choose to be active participants of peace, and calm and good health when it is modeled to them by the most important person in their life . . . You! Find those bubbles and practice breathing! You are amazing just the way you are! Celebrate you!

Mindful Mantra: "Just for today, I know that I have done everything I can possibly do for the day." - Repeat this each morning when you wake up and each night before going to sleep. The positivity you feed yourself can be felt by others.

- Jackie