Instead of “Stay Calm and Move Forward,” I suggest letting loose for a moment.
As a parent, I like to think of myself as pretty relaxed. I don’t stress over the minor issues, and I tend to let things slide. Take, for instance, the time one of my kids decided to decorate himself with permanent markers just before we were heading out for dinner. I simply sighed and walked out the door.
Or that other time when my youngest turned the backyard into his personal restroom, despite the fact that a bathroom was only 50 feet away. I sighed again, perhaps a bit louder, and assigned him the task of handling his own “poop patrol.”
When the boys in my house, including my partner, leave the toilet seat up, I let out an extra loud sigh (and maybe I slam it down), but I don’t usually lose my cool.
That said, I can be pretty laid-back, easygoing, and calm in most situations. But every now and then, my sighs morph into growls, my deep breaths become hyperventilating, and my usual indifference shifts to an “I can’t take this anymore!” attitude in the blink of an eye. I can be dramatic, impatient, and emotional. Let’s just say I have a “short fuse.”
To put it bluntly, there are times when I absolutely lose my mind.
Whether it’s the chaos of baseball cards littering the floor, an unfortunate pee incident on the toilet seat, or one kid hitting the other with a plastic sword, sometimes the traditional relaxation techniques just don’t work.
On particularly challenging days, when the nonsense spirals out of control, even a glass of wine won’t cut it. Sure, deep breaths and calming music are great for handling the everyday stress, but when you’re in the midst of a full-blown parenting hurricane, those tactics can seem amateurish.
What you really need is a good “Forget this!” moment, complete with some serious pillow punching and even some door slamming as you set off for guilt-free retail therapy.
In my view, there are times when you must lose your cool for a moment, collect yourself, and then move on. While “stay calm and move forward” is the ideal motto, for many of us, “let loose occasionally and then move on” is far more practical.
Now, just to clarify, losing it doesn’t mean being violent or emotionally abusive. It’s not about scaring your kids or damaging relationships. It’s about recognizing your intense emotions, expressing them in a responsible way, and then moving forward.
How to Appropriately Lose Your Cool
So, how does one appropriately lose their cool?
- Find a space away from everyone, especially your kids.
- Let it all out.
- Regain your composure and carry on.
When everything goes haywire, sometimes you just need to lock yourself in the bathroom and let out a string of incoherent expletives. You might need to vent to your best friend about how your kids are driving you up the wall with their endless bickering. A binge on Cheetos dipped in ice cream might be necessary. You might even feel the urge to roll your eyes at your partner’s cluelessness about household tasks.
At times, a calm request to “put on your coat” just won’t work, and you’ll have to channel your inner horror movie villain and demand compliance with an intense “Get your coat on… or else.”
You might even find yourself singing your empty threats about screen time to show the kids you’re serious about losing your mind, followed by a good scream in the hall closet.
Most days, I can soothe my frazzled nerves with some Bob Ross, online shopping, or belting out ’80s hits in the kitchen. But sometimes, I need more than that. Sometimes, a full-on release of emotions is exactly what’s required to get back on track.
Because unless someone starts selling essential oils called “Forget This!” or those deep breaths contain something more relaxing, sometimes the usual calming methods just won’t do. An emotional cleanse through venting, swearing, and simply letting it all out is exactly what the doctor ordered.
For further insights on home insemination techniques, check out this informative blog post. If you’re exploring options, you might find it useful to look at resources from places like Cryobaby, who are specialists in the field. Also, consider visiting Johns Hopkins Medicine, which offers excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, every parent has moments when they feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, the best way to handle it is to acknowledge your frustration, let it out appropriately, and then move forward. So go ahead, lose your cool for a minute, and then carry on.