CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Staying Calm Tips for New Moms

Life with baby can get overwhelming. On those days when you feel like you just might snap (maybe even at baby) try out these helpful tips.
save article
profile picture of Lisa Peri
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Thomas Barwick

I was making dinner the other day and suddenly found myself with my pants pulled down. I looked down to find my 16-month-old daughter with one of my pant legs in one hand and my 3-year-old daughter with my other pant leg in her hands. Both were screaming “up-eee” as loud as they could and crying. As I continued to observe this surreal moment, my husband walked into the kitchen and jokingly said “sexy!"  And then I cried…

Probably the biggest issue I struggle with every day with my children is how to keep calm and not lose my temper. Sure, I can write this now and laugh, but it is shocking how hard it can be to keep ourselves calm during times of stress with our kids. Parents often whisper to me that they yell back at their children or fear that they will “lose it” one of these days. They whisper as though they are the only ones who have ever done these things or felt this way. But let me tell you, you are not alone!

So let’s get real here. We all have to work hard every day to be patient and keep our cool. Here are some ideas that may help you to keep calm when things get extra hot:

[ ] Hire a babysitter, even if it’s just a few hours a week.

[ ] Keep an extra pair of earplugs in the car when you are stuck and your child is wailing in his or her car seat.  Trust me—you will still be able to hear them and talk to them but it certainly takes the edge off!

[ ] Make yourself a mellow music mix on your iPhone to put on when you have reached your limit.

Related Video

[ ] Make sure your children are occupied with a game or the television if you need a few minutes to collect yourself. Yes…I said TV. If it’s between yelling and TV for a few minutes, I vote TV and I’m sure your children will agree.

[ ] Get enough sleep, if you can. Make sure you go to bed early and that your children are getting the sleep they need as they will be less irritable.

[ ] Make sure you and your children are eating enough and frequently enough which also helps decrease irritability.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are certainly plenty of groups out there (Mommy and Me classes, Gymboree, the forums on The Bump) where us moms can vent our frustrations. And the next time you see a mom with her child throwing the tantrum of a lifetime, stop and just give her a sympathetic smile… because you never know when you might be next!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

mother holding baby clothes
Why Is Getting Rid of Baby’s Old Clothes So Hard?
By Natalie Gontcharova
chrissy teigen at home with her 4 children
Chrissy Teigen Shares the Hardest Part of Being a Mom of Four
By Wyndi Kappes
tired mom holding baby in nursery
Why Black Moms Face Higher Rates of Burnout (and How to Cope)
By A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez
ADVERTISEMENT
mother in deep thought while holding baby
How the Concept of ‘Matrescence’ Can Help You Navigate Parenthood
By Natalie Gontcharova
Michael Vaughn tik tok about reducing mental stress for wife
One Dad's Viral Tips for Reducing Your Partner's Solo Parenting Stress
By Wyndi Kappes
Even America’s Comedy King Jack Black Struggles With Parenting Anxiety
Even America’s Comedy King Jack Black Struggles With Parenting Anxiety
By Wyndi Kappes
mom hugging young child
How to Cope With the Emotional Aftermath of Another School Shooting
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
mother pondering while sitting on bed with baby
What to Know About Postpartum Psychosis
By Nehal Aggarwal
mother cuddling newborn baby
8 Things New Parents Can Do for an Easier Postpartum Period
By Elena Donovan Mauer
exhausted mother playing with toddler
Parental Burnout Is Real—Here’s How to Cope
By Marygrace Taylor
ADVERTISEMENT
mother and baby reading a book on the couch at home
What TikTok’s “Scrunchy Moms” Want You to Know
By Wyndi Kappes
James Van Der Beek attends the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada
James Van Der Beek's Viral Parenting Hack for Roadtripping With Six Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
mother holding sleeping baby on sofa at home
20 Positive Parenting Affirmations to Boost Your Mental Health
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding and comforting baby at home
What Over 70 Percent of Millennial Moms Aren’t Telling You
By Wyndi Kappes
Advertisement
worried mother holding baby while looking out of the window at home
Why Moms Need to Shift Their Perspective on Asking for Help
By Nehal Aggarwal
annoyed mother sitting at table with toddler
The Truth About Mom Rage and How to Tame Your Inner Anger
By Lauren Barth
mother looking at her baby with the ocean in the background
Adjusting to Motherhood May Take Longer Than You Think (and That’s OK)
By Kylie McConville
ADVERTISEMENT
Allyson Felix Opens Up About Her NICU Journey With Daughter Camryn
Allyson Felix Opens Up About Her NICU Journey With Daughter Camryn
By Nehal Aggarwal
Busy mom entertains her young children at home with a stuffed animal pig.
Mom-Founded Brand Is Setting Up a PTO Fund to Help Moms Take Time Off
By Nehal Aggarwal
dad working from home while his toddler is sitting on his shoulders
How to Ground Yourself for Pandemic Parenting Challenges
By Hunter Clarke-Fields
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List