Keeping Up with the Nuggets

One of the main more important and practical aspects of parenting took me years to really grasp.  I am fascinated, now that I know to watch and pay attention, by big of a part energy levels play in overall parenting well-being with both the adults and nuggets.  It doesn’t take long as a parent before you realize that if we are honest with ourselves, even on the best days those moments right after you lay the last kiddo down for bedtime borders right on the brink of sacred.

There are a couple of main points to discuss when it comes to energy levels. First, monitoring and maximizing your energy level is crazy important.  It is not something you may be that aware of in daily life.  Some of you who work in a mentally, versus physically draining field get a taste of this.  Others may experience a similar thing after driving all day when on a trip (“wait, why I am so freaking tired?!).   But the constant activity level of kiddos takes this phenomenon to a whole new level.

When not surrounded by kiddos it is usually pretty easy to mentally check-out.  When you are single you do your own thing.  When first married, you can also easily take a mental siesta.  With mini-human beings that rely on you in different ways at different ages, but always at a high octane level, this is a much trickier thing.

Pray and stay alert when it comes to this with yourself.  Also important… be humble and realize your limitations (another reason God puts a focus humility in our current human condition).  Have in your arsenal a set of activities that allow you to recharge.  These can include quiet time, room time and the like for time apart (in a separate room).  There should also be activities like board games, reading or walks (or whatever works for you) where you are together, but doing something that you don’t find as mentally draining.  If a spouse or older child is available you can take a walk yourself.  The key is… realize your limitations and work within them.  And when you mess up in this apologize and explain that you were a major jerkwad because you were tired (in your own words of course… more on asking forgiveness from your nuggets in a future post).

Another nice aspect of being intentional about energy level monitoring is that by realizing the link between parenting awesomeness and energy level you can give your brain a sweet shot in the arm when it comes to exercising and eating right.  To me at least, wanting to be a better spouse/dad is far more motivating than “that is what you should do” or looking good in a swim suit.

The second major aspect of energy level is of course that of the nuggets themselves.  You can (should) have major grace with them when you realize you struggle big time at this and that they are mini-versions of you, but with a lot less training, developing self-control and no job.  The solution is also the same.  Monitor their energy level and have a grab bag of activities available.

One important note here, honestly TV is the easiest “activity” when you and/or the nuggets are tired.  However, associating TV with the trigger of tiredness can be a tough link to break (limiting screen time also to come in a later post).   Much better to identify times of the week when everyone is likely to be tired (e.g. Monday evening) and schedule an every week family movie night.  This way the trigger is time based, not tiredness based.

Bonus note 2:  You will be shocked when you pay attention to this just how big of an effect sleep/rest has on kiddos (future post on this as well).

SWEET!  First post down.