Parental life requires a great amount of energy. After all, children can’t fend for themselves, and so managing an entire human life while making certain they develop correctly? Of course that would be taxing. However, it’s true that you never really know just how taxing (and deeply rewarding) this process can be unless you’ve gone through it yourself.
Yet all the experience in the world doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges. For example, as we get older in life, our energy levels may not be as available as they once were. Perhaps you’ve taken in your grandchildren, have had children later in life (Al Pacino recently had a child in his eighties!) or you’ve adopted. Whatever your situation, learning to manage and thrive as an older parent is a new practice in itself, and takes a deft hand to get right.
Well, luckily you’re in the right place for some warm advice. In this post, we’ll discuss how to manage and thrive as an older parent.
For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection
Understanding Digital Pressures
Now, this isn’t to say just because you’re a little more mature you don’t understand how computers work. But it’s also true that with ever-evolving smartphone apps, smartphones themselves, roaming internet, and more, it’s easy for more mature parents to pay less attention to a child’s online access. For this reason, keeping a close watch on the sites they access, setting up content limitations and hourly time restrictions can help you prevent your little one from being raised online, as unfortunately many are, seeing them exposed to content they shouldn’t be.
Managing Your Own Health & Energy
It’s important to be mindful of your own needs as a parent. After all, if you can’t feel healthy, how can you care for your child? For this reason, it’s important to consider how age might impact your parental capabilities. That might involve exploring age and hearing connections, perhaps even visiting an audiologist to find the right device for you. If needed, it could mean stretching a little more each morning, taking naps when you calm your infant for their own sleep, or simply asking for further help from relatives or friends. It’s important to keep in a good routine to sustain your momentum too. Over time, you’ll feel better for the effort.
Avoid Comparisons
When arriving at the school gates you may be keenly aware that you’re a little older than most parents. It’s hard not to compare yourself to them and perhaps pre-judge yourself as coming up short. But it’s important to remember that being an older parent is great actually – you’re more experienced, you have more insight into your own character and personality, you’re helping a child thrive, and you’ll enjoy your child as they move into adulthood while you enter your golden years. It’s good to have a talk with your child about why you’re a little older than their friend’s parents and why this is a wonderful thing. This way, you can avoid any awkward topics or even the slight insinuation that you’re lesser because of your age. Unfortunately, it’s a real anxiety some older parents have, but that remains completely unnecessary.
With this advice, you’ll be certain to manage and thrive as an older parent.
For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection
