Parenting Tips for Your 39-40 Month Old Child
Time is tight and sleep is precious so parents may feel overwhelmed by what used to be normal social ties and activities. Invitations to family gatherings or outings with friends may seem to be too frequent and hard to manage. The pressure to attend events may build up so much that you explode and accuse your family and friends of expecting too much. On the other hand, you might cut out all social activities. Both reactions are extreme. It is helpful to recognize when you start feeling pressure and resentment and deal with it.
Take a few minutes to step back and think about the benefit you receive from keeping relationships with family and friends strong. The same relationships you considered stressful can also be sources of support. These friends and family may be able to pitch in when you need some help or just want someone to laugh with.
Take some time to talk to your partner and set some reasonable expectations and limits. Start the conversation with these questions.
- Which get-togethers do we attend and which can we skip?
- Should friends or family call us before dropping in?
- Should we set aside a family night and have no distractions from the outside world?
- Which recreational activities are most important to us?
- How often should we have a night out alone?
