at home with Jo Frost - October 2012 - (Page 297)

| and finally| zen mums 2 keepING caLM wHeN tHere are kIdS aroUNd ISN't eaSy – try oUt tHeSe MetHodS 3 It’s not an old wives’ tale – fresh air clears your head. If you can, escape the situation and take a short stroll outside for a while. If you’re on your own at home with your baby or toddler, you can’t leave them, but going outside together will still help to dissolve the situation, simply because you’ve changed the surroundings. don’t be put off if it’s raining feeling – toddlers love to splash in puddles StreSSed? and a puddle or two will soon a few deep help you both forget whatever breathS will it was that was causing tension. help you to CalM down Go oUtSIde for SoMe freSH aIr W Words: Jo Willacy | illustrations: Getty Images hether you’re mum to a baby, a toddler or a teen (or maybe all three!) there will be times when you feel pushed to the limit and, despite your best intentions, lose your cool. Children of different ages push your ‘stress’ buttons in numerous ways – your baby may be tiny but she still has a large pair of lungs on her to belt out a piercing cry; your toddler is clever enough to know how to wind you up when it comes to not eating or not getting dressed on time; while your teenager can drive you to distraction with myriad of typical teen behaviour: coming home late, homework not done, backchatting... the list goes on. So, among all this chaos, it can be hard to keep calm – or, more importantly, find the time to unwind. 1 Making time for yourself is hard once you become a mum, but it’s vital for keeping your sanity and some semblance of independence intact. whatever the situation that’s driving you insane, if you possibly can, remove yourself from it. Many parents give their tots ‘time out’ if they feel their behaviour has been unacceptable, but you need time out yourself sometimes – to prevent your own behaviour becoming unpleasant. US psychologist, Laura J petracek, author of The Anger Workbook for Women (£18.99, New Harbinger Self-Help workbook) advises: ‘If you can, take time out and walk into another room, even if it’s just for a minute or two.’ the critical point made here is that if you to get some literal distance away from the problem or situation, you stand more chance of being able to recover your sense of calm, and quickly. Step away It’s not rocket science. we all pick up on each other’s behaviours. think about how you and your partner interact with each other. Sitting watching television together, for example – if your partner feels tense, you feel tense. you start to worry that you have done something wrong, and you may begin to feel restless because you do not like the feelings his tension is provoking in you. conversely, if your partner is relaxed, you feel settled, enjoy the mutual activity and might even feel more loving towards him. ever noticed how your children seem to play up more when you are feeling frazzled? that’s because the same applies to kids, even if they’re young and can’t express their feelings verbally. yes, on paper it sounds easy, we know, but if you want your children to be calm and relaxed, it really is so important to practise keeping your cool. the less stressed out you feel, the more relaxed and well-behaved your children are likely to be. > www.athomemagazine.co.uk OCTOBER 2012 | 297 pUt yoUrSeLf IN yoUr cHILd’S SHoeS http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of at home with Jo Frost - October 2012

EDITOR’S LETTER
JO’S HELLO
WHAT’S NEW IN PARENTING?
OCTOBER OUTINGS
SCRUB A DUB DUB
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
NICE WHEELS
FAMOUS MUMS
JO FROST ON THE GO
THE NAUGHTY CORNER
ADULT CLASSES
THE BIG C
YUMMY MUMMY
GET THE LOOK
PUSHY MOTHERS
TOPS ON TREND
MAKE-UP MAGIC
MOTHER WEAR
BABY BUMP BLISS
FIRST-TIME WORRIES
STARTING OUT
ON-THE-MOVE
SIGN UP
MILK TIME
SLEEP EASY
CRY BABY
WHAT’S THAT RASH?
MORE PLEASE
BABY STEPS
JOIN THE GREEN TEAM
COUNTRY COOL
PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING
BUDDING BOOKWORM
AN ITCH TO SCRATCH
‘I’M NOT HUNGRY’
GOING POTTY
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
LIVING WITH AUTISM
OPEN WIDE
THE COLD WAR
LET MUMMY KISS IT BETTER
PANIC STATIONS
A CLEAN SWEEP
PROJECT RUNWAY
ORGANISE THIS
TIME FOR BIG SCHOOL
ALL KITTED OUT
WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?
‘I HATE YOU!’
TWEEN HEALTH
EAT WELL
TRICK OR TREAT
THE GHOST WITH THE MOST
LET’S BAKE
BABY BUDGET
WHAT KIND OF PARENT ARE YOU?
GIVE A CHILD A HOME
FAMILY MEN
GIRL POWER
DAY TRIPPER
GET PACKING
WHY PETS ARE BEST
COMING SOON
STORY CORNER
COUNT TO 10
PEARLS OF WISDOM
QUESTION TIME
KODAK MOMENTS
SURF’S UP
SOUND BITES
STOCKISTS

at home with Jo Frost - October 2012