Tips for Staying Stress-Free

Eat together.
Dinner is a great time to relax with the kids. Studies have shown that adolescents who eat at least five dinners a week with their family are less likely to use drugs or have sex at an early age.

Shop alone.
Shopping on the fly, or with the kids in tow, is way too stressful, and it’s an easy way to overspend by making too many impulse purchases. Make a list and stick to it.

Tame morning mania.
Stagger wake-up times. Keep quick and healthful foods on hand for breakfast. Lunches should be prepared and school clothes selected the night before.

Ritualize bedtime.
Create a routine, like a bath followed by story time, that you can follow every night of the week. Set a limit for the number of stories you will read, then be firm about lights-out.

Share chores.
Kids should have daily chores, such as picking up toys and clothes, setting the table, or feeding family pets. If your budget can take it, hire outside help for the chores that fall to you.

Have more fun.
You know that saying, “The family that plays together stays together”? Fun time together strengthens family bonds and builds strong relationships between individuals.

Limit kids’ activities.
After-school activities are a great way for children to develop confidence and meet people. However, your child should spend an equal amount of time socializing with family.

Tame tensions.
Whether you’re arguing with your spouse or your child, how you handle the dispute is important. To keep family tensions down, make sure everyone’s opinion is heard.

Watch the bottom line.
Money worries are a major source of stress. If you need help budgeting, use a money management computer program or consider seeing a financial advisor.

Make time for you.
Budget time each week to do something for yourself, whether it’s a romantic date or lunch with friends. Satisfy your own needs, and you’ll be better suited to tend to your kids.