5 Ways to Stay Calm in the Middle of Chaos – Even if Losing It Seems Inevitable
Posted on September 19, 2016 by Mitzi Bockmann, One of Thousands of Relationship Coaches on Noomii.
Life is chaotic and exhausting and it's very hard to keep your cool in the middle of it all. There are ways, however, and I am here to guide you....
Ok. It’s bedtime. You know the drill. Homework is being wrapped up, teeth are being brushed, the next day’s school clothes are being chosen, lost books are being retrieved, that last text message is being sent.
And everybody is calmly taking care of their business as you supervise from your easy chair, right? NOT!
Bedtime is chaos. Getting off to school is chaos. Doing homework and making dinner is chaos. Your life is chaos.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay patient in the middle of it all.
There are ways to manage the chaos without breaking down and screaming, something that might make you feel better in the moment but is rarely a good motivator. And something you always regret.
Here are my ideas for 5 Ways for Moms to Stay Calm in the Middle of Chaos – Even if Losing It Seems Inevitable. I will use bedtime as an example to work from.
- – Stay aware.
Bedtime, is chaotic, jam-packed, and exhausting. Every night. It’s just the nature of the beast. If you go into it remembering that it is chaotic, jam-packed and exhausting then you will have a better chance of managing it without losing it.
Before it begins, take a minute for yourself (or more if you have it). Take a deep breath. Have a cup of tea. Whatever it will take to get your calm on, go for it.
If you enter into a situation already stressed out, having just finished a work call or throwing the dishes in the dishwasher, chances are that you will break much quicker than if you go in calm.
- – Ask for help!
There are usually two grown ups in the house at bedtime. Don’t try to do it all yourself. It’s something that us moms try to do. Everything. And it usually doesn’t end well.
Divide and conquer. Each of you take a child. Or one person manage teeth brushing while the other helps pack up homework. Define your tasks clearly so that everyone knows their job and sticks to it.
And don’t let the kids play you off each other. Remember that you are a team and that you are bigger than those little people who are trying to run all over you.
- – Declare if you are escalating.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to keep my feelings of frustration bottled up, allowing them to slowly build until I erupt with loud, ugly words. My kids then look at me like I am crazy because they had no idea how the night was getting to me.
Let your kids know if you start to escalate. I use a 10 point scale: 1 being calm and 10 being at the edge. “Hey kids,” I say, “Mom is at a 5. Can we please calm down and get into bed.”
This lets the kids know that your frustration is mounting so that perhaps they can tweak their behaviors to prevent the eruption of Mt. Mom.
- – Take a deep breath.
Next time you drive by an 18-wheeler on the highway notice what you are doing. Chances are you are holding your breath. And gripping the steering wheel very tightly. It’s tension filled, those few seconds you inch past them. And your body reacts.
Next time you drive by an 18-wheeler take a deep breath. You will immediately feel yourself relaxing, your hands unclenching. You will get by that truck without missing a beat.
Take the above action and apply it to chaotic times. Take a deep breath. Repeat as necessary. It is sure to calm you down.
- – Visualize what is next.
One of the best ways to get through a chaotic situation is to visualize the prize at the end of the chaos.
Bedtime is no exception.
When the bedtime routine is over good things wait for you on the other side. Time with your spouse. Another episode of “House of Cards.” A bath. Looking in on your beautiful sleeping children. YOUR BED.
As you feel your frustration growing, picture what is on the other side. And know that if you stay calm the chaos will probably subside quicker and you will get to your prize.
So there you are: 5 Ways to Stay Calm in the Middle of Chaos – Even if Losing It Seems Inevitable.
Our lives are chaotic, jam-packed and crazy. And chances are they aren’t going to change until your kids go off to college and you are left alone in an empty house (but that is a whole ‘nother topic).
The best way to get through the chaos with your hair and sanity intact is to learn to manage it. And you can do it. Think of all of the chaotic things you have survived already. This is just one more. You CAN DO IT.
Looking for more coping tips to get through your crazy life? I can help. Contact me now and we can get your started down the path to living the life of your dreams.
