Parenting Playbook

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  • Parenting Burnout is Real

    Parenting Burnout is Real

    The amount of dishes to wash never come to an end, toys always need picking up, your name has been called for the millionth time, and let’s not get into the laundry. All you want to do is scream or retreat to a quiet corner away from the chaos. Parenting burnout is real and can impact every aspect of your life. But there are methods to help cope with feelings of being overwhelmed and overstimulated.

    I myself have been in your shoes with the feeling that everything was mundane and endless with no solution to alleviate the chaos of being a parent. However, with time and reflection, I have discovered tips and strategies to make the stress a little less stressful.

    MINDSET IS THE NUMBER ONE STRESS STRATEGY! Perspective makes a huge difference with burnout because you go from thoughts of overwhelm and boredom to thoughts of thankfulness. When my children call me for the 10th time, I remind myself that I am needed. I can’t imagine a life in which none needs me; being needed brings me purpose. Requests for extra time during sleep routines are seen as extra time that I get with my kids; I know when I look back that I won’t regret taking those extra minutes but instead will have more memories I can recall. Even doing dishes can be seen in a positive light: at least I have food to fill my kids’ belly.

    Routine. Having some type of routine no matter how rigid or loose keeps some order to the chaos. Not only do you know what to look forward to but kids know what to look forward to as well. Additionally, when you make a routine you can schedule (no matter how small) some time for yourself and have this to look forward to each day (or week depending on your schedule.)

    Don’t overestimate the importance of independent play. Certainly, spending time with your kids is the best! But as a parent there are other (many other) tasks that have to be completed throughout the day. Finding a toy or setting up an activity so that your child can play alone can be very handy while you check off the other parts of your to-do-list, and you have no need to feel guilty because your child is having fun!

  • Easter Shapes FREEBIE

    Easter Shapes FREEBIE

    Enjoy this FREEBIE by downloading. Simply cut out the shapes and baskets and have kiddos match the shapes.

    2Download
  • FREE Listening Color Activity

    FREE Listening Color Activity

    colorsDownload
  • St. Patrick’s Day Shapes

    St. Patrick’s Day Shapes

    Enjoy this FREEBIE! Match the shapes on the pot of gold.

    shapesDownload
  • St. Patrick Leprechaun Building Freebie

    St. Patrick Leprechaun Building Freebie

    tyr8h bimnvm-[p0[ httpsparenting-play-book.org20260309help-my-child-throws-a-fit-every-time-she-has-to-waitDownload

  • Help! My Child Throws a Fit Every Time She Has to Wait

    Help! My Child Throws a Fit Every Time She Has to Wait

    If you found yourself on this page, then you likely have dealt with tantrums due to having to wait. You are probably asking yourself what you can do to help alleviate fits thrown while teaching kids how to wait. I have some suggestions!

    Consider wait time. If your child is new to waiting, then having him wait for long periods of time may not set him up for success. Think of It as being a new runner and being expected to run a marathon on the first jog. You need to work up to longer wait times but starting small to build up tolerance. Start with a simple wait time such as 5 seconds and go from there.

    Use visuals! Visuals can include a timer on your phone or even just simply using your fingers to count down wait time. This provides a signal that wait time does come to an end and a preferred item or activity will become available.

    Lastly, distract with something else. Waiting can even be hard for adults. What do you find yourself doing when waiting at a doctor’s office? Probably playing on your phone or reading a magazine aka distracting yourself while waiting. Distractions help kids cope with waiting too!

  • Social Connection in the Classroom- FREE HUMAN BINGO

    Social Connection in the Classroom- FREE HUMAN BINGO

    In an ideal world students will independently engage with one another. However, sometimes they require prompts. This FREEBIE is a visual prompt and game that gets students connecting and interacting with one another.

    Check it out. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/HUMAN-BINGO-Social-Skills-Activity-FREE-8506829

  • Play Doh Gold Coin

    Play Doh Gold Coin

    welcome! On this blog, I post fun activities you can do with your kids every week. This activity is very simple. All you need is to draw the pot of gold and grab play doh. Then let the kiddos have fun making coins for the pot of gold.