Tired Parents: What Can They Do

Parenting is a full time job. Sadly, it is not the only job that any parent is responsible to complete. Even if one parent stays home full time they have to take care of the house. Most families require two incomes just to survive. So how are parents to be successful at all these various tasks?

~Assess Strengths

Sit down together and evaluate the strengths of each parent. This should be a detailed list. It should include talents, interests, schedules and time restraints.

Consider yourselves the human resources department of your family. Check the resume and make sure assignments are given to the parent most likely to succeed. Here are some simple things that should not be overlooked. The clutter bug should not be in charge of housecleaning. Finances should be handled by the person who has the best math skills and spending habits.

If one of you hates sports you shouldn't be the one cheering at the soccer game.

~The To Do List

The to-do-list should be minimal. This list is the very basics. It's the bare necessities to make the family functional. It's not about wishes and wants, but needs. The extras will come after you get a successful working routine.

~Plan Couple Time

There isn't a successful family unless there is a stable successful marriage, assuming both parents are living in the same household. Make sure you are meeting each other's needs. Those quiet personal times are priceless. You need to communicate and take care of each other as a couple first. Think of it as the trickle down theory.

~Divide and Conquer

Separate and make sure all the basics get done. One parent may miss the piano recital, but one will attend. Everyone will survive and support each other.

There may be one parent napping while another is helping with homework.

~Plan Personal Time

Everyone needs personal time to regenerate and refocus. It is essential to take care of yourself so you can help take care of others. Remember the little speech they give in airplane about the parent taking the oxygen first so they can help the child; it is good advice. Whether it's a quiet bath, a good book or a trip to the gym it needs to be on the list.

As you can see co-parenting takes organization and cooperation. If you can't be committed to those two principles, you will continue to be exhausted and inefficient. Do not despair. If you really can't get organized and work together there is a third option. Get yet another job so you can afford to pay for a full time nanny.