How parents can loosen up and chill

After all the merriment of your wedding, here comes becoming a parent. Suddenly, you and your spouse felt like the world turned upside down. 

With all the responsibilities and tasks you need to accomplish daily, you already forgot how to have fun.

When was the last time you laughed with your husband? When was the last time you spent on the things you did before you married?  

Both moms and dads face various kinds of stress as they do their roles in their homes. Though mothers are more vocal about it, that does not mean that fathers' loads are lighter than hers.

We know that homemaking is lovely and priceless for both parents. But,  they should still know how to loosen up with life sometimes to enjoy every milestone they have with their kids.

How should parents loosen up with life

You and your spouse have become more serious in life than ever. You only talk about how to settle bills, and other expenses, who takes care of the children, who do the laundry, and who cooks. 

Moreover, it becomes a mundane routine for both of you that you forget that having fun is also vital in the family.

So, here are some tips on how you could loosen up with life a bit to avoid being trapped by “no fun parenthood.”

Do not feel guilty

Parents may feel guilty going out together for a quick date or coffee and leaving their children with their parents or a babysitter. 

However, you must understand nothing is wrong if you want to spend quality time with your spouse.

Besides, if you make every effort to provide for your family's needs, you do not have to feel wrong about going out or doing things you love alone or with your spouse. 

Thus, you can never enjoy life every time you try to choose to have fun but feel guilty after. 

Parents should do something fun to make their marriages healthy for the good of their kids.

Continue your hobby together

Before you get married and have kids, there are some things that you both love doing together, such as going on a movie date, jogging in the park, or eating at your favorite restaurant. 

Most married couples forget their hobby together because they are too busy. 

However, there is no such thing as busy when you put it on your priority lists. 

It does not have to be daily but try to continue doing your hobby at least once or twice a month.

Also, if you have some hobbies alone, you can arrange it with your spouse. 

As long as you do not stop doing it so you will not forget who you are. For instance, you love going out with your friends or playing sports.

Play with your kids

One of the best ways to loosen up as parents is to leave your workloads on your table and play with your children. In this way, you create memories with them and bring out the child in you. 

Since we are now living in a new system where many parents work from home, the stress level could increase. 

You may focus on something other than one thing or have more time with the other. 

However, spend at least 30 to an hour focusing on your kids and playing with their toys. 

Remember that they are why you and your husband are doing everything to have a better life. Yet, playing with them is also vital for their well-being.

Work-life balance

Avoid overscheduling yourself on weekdays and weekends. If you ensure that you have a balanced time for work, family, marriage, and yourself, then you can enjoy the beauty of parenting. 

Sometimes, if we overwork, we shout at our kids when they need our attention. 

Also, because we are too tired at work and the chores at home, we sacrifice our time for our spouse or ourselves. 

If we do not balance our schedules, we might do well with one aspect and fail with another. Though we do not perfect it, at least we try to set an equal time for everything.

Most parents usually wake up early to spend time on their devotion to God. Since the kids are sleeping, you can use this time for yourself. 

Then, set a day for your husband or wife to spend quality time together. 

On weekends, it could be a time for your family. You could go out and attend the church service on Sundays, then eat out or do outdoor activities. 

God could finish work in six days, then rest on the seventh day, and so can you if you could only manage your time wisely.

Refrain from talking about bills

As parents, we could not help but always talk about bills with our spouses. This routine could be very tiring and boring. 

You did not just get married to pay bills and talk about them when you get up in the morning and before you rest at night. 

When dating, you are always interested in knowing your partner’s feelings. You love to listen to everything they say. 

However, when you become a parent, it seems your only topic is handling your bills and kids. 

Try to talk about each other when you go out on a date or even before you sleep. Try to be more vocal about your affection for each other despite all your responsibilities. 

It is an excellent way to loosen up with parenting and remember that you also need your romantic partner, not just your life partner.

Be part of a community

Becoming a part of a community, with which you can share life, such as the church family, can be beneficial.

Besides, It is one of the best ways to loosen up as parents. There is so much fun in enjoying fellowship with your co-parents and talking about parenting itself. 

Additionally, being a part of a community could encourage you by hearing their stories of parenting. 

Some churches have certain groups designed for parents, mothers, and fathers. They hold activities for you to enjoy and love your role as parents.

Also, in this group, you could share your ups and downs as parents. 

Do not carry it all

Most parents end up tired and unhappy during their parenting journey because they tend to carry all the loads alone. Remember that God is with you and your spouse in your parenthood. 

You can loosen up by learning to surrender it all to God. We are parents but not God. Our Father in Heaven has more control over things we could not. 

If we are tired of doing our roles, we could rest with Him.

Moreover, you can spend time with Him alone or with your spouse. You can have devotions together to involve God in every decision you make for your family. 

Do not take everything seriously

Not because you have become parents does not mean you are not allowed to make jokes or laugh at some funny things. 

Do not take everything seriously; just have fun with your partner or friends.

Some wives get irritated when their husbands act like a child and make fun with them. 

It is probably because of the stress that they have in motherhood, but the more you take everything seriously, the more pressure you can get. 

Thus, try to loosen up and respond to jokes positively.