Parenting in Difficult Times

As parents reading today's headlines, we often worry about how things like global warming, world hunger, company downsizing, rising gas prices and the state of the economy will affect our family and friends.

It is impossible to ignore these issues and our personal concerns about them. Dealing with problems outside of our immediate control makes us tense. Our children can sense this stress and unease. The question becomes; how do we cope with these stresses in a way that doesn’t negatively impact our children?

Luckily for parents in PEPS, community connection and emotional support reduces stress. Sharing concerns and learning how others deal with the same challenges is both cathartic and helpful; that's why sharing "highs and lows" has remained an important element of every PEPS Group session for 25 years.

Beyond sharing and listening, there are some practical things PEPS Group members can do to help each other cope in difficult times.

One important and much-appreciated form of help is sharing or exchanging  childcare for an evening out (alone or with a partner or friend) to talk over thses big-picture worries without children listening. This also applies to self-care, having time alone to walk, laugh and relax releases tension and clears the mind.

Making and taking more time to be with others also helps, after all these are issues that efffect us all! Most PEPS Groups get together outside of their formal meetings to enjoy the simple pleasures of  spending time with other families.

On the cost-saving side of things, your PEPS Groups can also be a wonderful asset. One Group has come up with a particularly great idea: a “summer camp” for their children, with adults from each family rotating weekly to head up fun summer activities. In this way parents save on childcare expenses and families build shared memories while knowing their children are well cared for by friends.

Other cost-saving ideas to try with your Group are:

• Cook and share meals together
• Buy produce, household items and groceries in bulk with other families
• Have mini-vacations at each other's homes with weekend backyard camping, complete with shared meals, outings, and a talent show. 
• Transport your Group to the beach by bus or carpool for a day; take lots of food and sand toys

The advantage of being in a PEPS Group is that you know you aren't facing the world alone. So bring your Group together for potlucks, carpools, childcare and sharing. I'm sure you'll come up with more  great ideas on how to deal with the ups and downs of  these times, please share them with us by emailing peps@pepsgroup.org.

~ By Sandra Wallace, PEPS Newborn Program Manager