New to Being a Mom? Keep Yourself Sane in Case of These Four Classic “Emergencies”

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There’s perhaps nothing more rewarding than being a new mother.

Likewise, there’s perhaps nothing more stressful.

Let’s face the facts: there are millions of moving pieces to being a new mom, especially if you’re a working mother. From making sure the house is clean to keeping your family fed, it’s completely normal to experience a bit of a breakdown from time to time.

However, according to the American Psychology Association, the stress associated with parenting is no joke given the following:

• Women are exponentially more likely to experience symptoms of emotional stress such as headaches, overeating and emotional outbursts versus men

• 56% of new mothers and married women stated their stress levels have increased within the past five years

• Approximately 80% of family health care decisions are made by women, indicating an extra burden of responsibility on new mothers

Perhaps the best way to fight stress and keep yourself sane is to prepare for the little “emergencies” that tend to strike when we least expect them. The following emergencies aren’t life and death situations, but rather represent inconveniences that every mom should be prepared for. Stop stressing out and instead take a proactive approach to keeping your family and yourself happy when you need to the most.

Emergency Meals

You don’t have to be supermom 100% of the time: sometimes you simply don’t have the ingredients or the energy for a home-cooked meal. Instead, make sure to have some takeout options on deck. For example, keep an eye out for pizza coupons that will ensure you have a hot meal delivered quickly and on the cheap.

It’s also a good idea to invest in non-perishables and frozen meals from time to time, although such items shouldn’t necessarily become cornerstones of your family’s diet.

Having an emergency meal plan could be the difference between a happy household and an absolute nightmare.

Emergency Messes

There’s no shortage of messes to clean up when you’re a new mother. Having the following items in your pantry can help put a stop to even the stickiest of situations:

• A solution of one cup of white vinegar, one cup warm water and a few drops of any essential oil represent a reliable all-purpose cleaner that smells awesome

• Magic erasers (or copycat brands you can find on Amazon) can take care of kitchen messes

• Bleach for heavy-duty clothing stains that need to be soaked away immediately

Although you can’t prevent every spill, the least you can do is be prepared.

Emergency Entertainment

Sometimes you flat out need a break from the madness, right?

There’s no shame in letting your kids veg out in front of the television from time to time. While you still need to keep an eye on them, don’t underestimate the power of a play-pen and some simple children shows. Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu have just about every cartoon under the sun; likewise, they can auto-play episodes so you can relax for a while.

Emergency Supervision

Finally, make sure that you plan for emergency supervision in case you need to leave your kids alone for any extended period of time. Ideally, your spouse or parents could help: if not, consider an elderly nanny or trustworthy teenager in the neighborhood who’ll be willing to watch them for little to nothing. Of course, make sure you trust your babysitter and outline a routine for anyone watching your children.

There’s no denying the stresses that come with being a new parent. However, with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can take time to decompress and de-stress while still keeping your family happy.