Let’s jump into some questions and answers:
How can parents maintain a healthy marriage while raising young children? What’s the key to balancing both roles?
Prioritizing both! Making time for both on a regular basis. When the kids are young make sure after you put them to bed to have time as a couple to connect and have conversations and do things together. We are currently obsessed with the Handmaid’s tale and making our way through six seasons together and discussing it.
In your experience, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to parents who are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of family life?
Think about what really needs to get done today and what can wait so that you feel less stressed. Some things are a priority.
How do you help families communicate better, especially when emotions are running high?
My favorite word to answer that is the “pause button.” Just hit pause so that it doesn’t escalate and let each other know that you need to cool off. It takes practice.
What are some of the most effective strategies for managing conflict in marriage without letting it affect the children?
Remember that your children are learning how to resolve conflict by watching you. Realizing that you have an audience, helps. Identify the problems together and work on a solution together. Realize when you are in an unresourceful state and wait until you are ready to solve problems together.
What are some common myths about parenting or marriage that you wish more people knew the truth about?
Myth about marriage – happy couples don’t fight. This is NOT true. All couples fight. If you aren’t fighting that is a bigger problem because that means you just don’t care.
Myth about parenting – your children’s achievements and behavior make you a good parent. What makes you a good parent is if you show up and keep trying.
What are some practical ways parents can avoid burnout while juggling family responsibilities, work, and self-care?
The best way to avoid burnout is through your attitude. If I have a good attitude and enjoy the little things in my day then I am in a much better state than if I look at it like things I have to do all day. I get to drive my kids around. I get to feed them and take care of them. I am blessed.
How can parents effectively talk to their kids about big life changes (like moving, divorce, or a family loss) without overwhelming them?
Read their cues. My kids don’t like too many questions or too much information at one time. I would break it up into chunks. Today we talked about if my son wanted a tv for his dorm. I didn’t then bombard him with a ton of more questions. Take it slow and take their lead. Do they want to talk more or are they clamming up?
In your experience, what are the best strategies for creating a solid family routine that everyone can stick to, even with busy schedules?
As solid as a routine can be the best word that you can teach your family is flexibility. Have a family calendar. Let everyone know what the day entails. Be ready for things to change and other things to pop up that you weren’t expecting. I wasn’t expecting to talk to the landscapers a lot today. I try to be flexible in my day. I am typing at 8:00 PM instead of at 10 AM when I thought I had time.
What advice do you have for parents who feel like they’re constantly arguing with their kids.
Reflect on what your part is in the problem. We can point fingers at our children, or we can look at what we are doing wrong. We have control over our own behavior, and we need to be a good example. State your rules or expectations and don’t continue the argument. Let me know when they want to calmly discuss it that you are ready.
How can parents encourage independence in their children without feeling like they’re letting go too soon?
Take small steps and see how it goes. Scale back if you need to. Try to remember what it was like to be their age and how you wanted freedom too. Test it out and see if they prove that they can handle it.
What are some small, daily habits that can strengthen the relationship between parents and their kids, even when life is hectic?
My favorite advice is to use all the time in the car for bonding. It’s where we have our best conversations. When they want to talk in the house and you are busy – try to put what you are doing down and give them some attention. A 5-10 minute conversation goes a long way. Bonds are created in the little five minute conversations all day. If you have to fold laundry – have them join in. If you have to bake – ask them to help. Include them in tasks and make them feel important.
How can parents keep their cool during a child’s temper tantrum or meltdown, and what are some techniques to de-escalate the situation?
I told you my favorite word in this type of situation is “pause.” Focus on regulating yourself. If you focus on deep breaths and staying calm, then it will help to regulate and deescalate your child too.
How do you recommend parents handle the pressure of trying to “do it all” while still being present and attentive to their families?
Another favorite word that I am using a lot is priorities. Just make sure that your priorities are in check. What is most important to you? If it isn’t important then don’t worry about it. Don’t guilt yourself into things. Your time is valuable!
I hope that you found something helpful and relatable to your life and issues you may be having. If you have a question that wasn’t answered, feel free to email me at whinypaluzamom@gmail.com.
Laughing, Learning, Loving,
Rebecca Greene, LCSW-R
Check out my 
:
Whinypaluza Notes:
Whinypaluza Mom Group:
If you are looking for a supportive community, come join the free Whinypaluza Mom Facebook group. I created this as I wanted us to have a place where we can talk about tips, strengths and challenges we are having. It is another step I took to help everyone to know that you are not alone. Our June challenge was a lot of fun! Come jump in and join us and bring a friend with you! I love to give away prizes. This group is private so please find me on Facebook at Whinypaluza or Rebecca Greene and message me to ask for an invite. I’m also on Instagram @becgreene5 and @whinypaluza_mom. I am also on Tik tok @whinypaluzamom.
The Whinypaluza Schedule:
Whinypaluza Wednesdays: My weekly blog comes out every Wednesday. I am always open to your topic requests. A new Vlog (video blog) also comes out every Wednesday night on Facebook at 9:00 PM Eastern time to discuss the blog. If you would rather listen to a podcast than watch a Vlog, you can wait for the following Wednesday, and the Vlog is released on my Podcast.
Family Fridays: Every Friday morning a new Podcast is released. Most of my episodes on Fridays are me discussing parenting and marriage with experts on the topic. If you would rather watch the Podcast instead of listen, you can watch it on You Tube. If you would like to be on my Podcast or know someone who would like to please message me on Facebook or Instagram or at whinypaluzamom@gmail.com
I would greatly appreciate it if you would subscribe, rate my podcast and leave me a five-star review. This leads to it being shown to more people that we can help. I appreciate it when you share my blogs, vlogs and podcasts with a friend so that we can build our community and help people one mama at a time. Every time you like and/or comment on a post it helps and is so appreciated!
