Managing your family, career, and kids can be stressful. If you also have aging parents to care for, this can make it unbearable. Luckily, there are many ways to manage all the tasks with ease. First of all, you need to monitor how your senior person is doing, and without the right devices, this can be a challenge. Consider installing a senior daycare software, for this will simplify the caregiving process. It will ease communication and help you track how your aging parents are progressing.
Here are tips to help you manage kids and aging parents:
1. Avoid regrets
Taking care of aging parents can be challenging, and you may sometimes regret taking them in. But, this will stress you up and leave you feeling low. Instead, be positive and only focus on the happiness associated with making their lives better. This way, it will be easier to focus on your tasks and also accomplish them efficiently. Take it easy and seek help whenever necessary.
2. Involve others
Talk to other family members and think of ways in which they can assist. For instance, your spouse can help prepare the kids for school or help with homework as you cook. Other distant relatives can come over during the weekends to help out. If you have friends who are also willing to help, let them do it. On the other hand, your aging parents can help with the kids; they can talk to your kids when you run out of solutions. This way, you’ll have less work and more time for yourself.
3. Stay calm
Maintaining your cool when your kids mess up may not be easy, but control yourself and avoid shouting. Yelling at kids will make them feel inferior, affect your relationship, and this makes it harder to care for them. Have the right attitude and let your kids be, especially when they are doing something that won’t hurt them. This way, they will be more confident and will become more responsible.
4. Let your kids help with simple tasks
If you have big kids, involve them in caring for the elderly parent as well as other simple chores in the house. This way, you’ll ease the burden, and you’ll find it easier to manage your daily tasks. Involving your children will also create great moments that you can cherish as a family. It also enhances trust between you and your kids, since you both share in the responsibilities.
5. Engage an expert
Hiring a caregiver will help handle the most difficult tasks in caring for your aging loved ones. They are experts and can handle most of the tasks more efficiently. This way, you’ll have more time to care for the kids. You may not be available to care for your senior person all the time, and a caregiver will come in handy. Most older people suffer from different chronic conditions, and you don’t want to leave your aging parents all alone.
6. Join support groups
Taking care of aging parents and kids at the same time, can be physically and emotionally draining. Joining a support group will give you a shoulder to lean on when you feel overwhelmed. Sharing with others who are going through the same issues can be very therapeutic. They better understand what you’re going through, and they will help in such tough moments.
Final thoughts
Caring for aging parents and kids at the same time can be challenging, but is doable. Plan your time well, and always attend to the essential chores first. Seek help from other family members and, if possible, hire a caregiver. Moreover, stay calm and seek opinions from others tasked with the same responsibilities.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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