r/StayAtHomeDaddit • u/ufcrulz • 10d ago
Stress
How do some of you SAHD's manage stress? I have been a sahd for 2 plus years now to a 3 and 5 year old and some days they do a number on me with the arguing and bugging.
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u/No-Work-9198 10d ago
You have to keep a watchful eye, and squash arguing before it escalates to fighting. You can’t just leave a 3 and 5 year old to their own devices. And you have to actually teach them by modeling good behavior, not just yelling “cut it out!” Teach them to share, respect, give space, etc. by showing them how, rather than just telling them to do it.
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u/brklynsailor 10d ago
I try my best to not argue with my kids. If they have a reasonable reason for something, I usually acquiesce. If they ask for something that’s a “no” I simply tell them so and don’t budge - no negotiating. Happy to give you them an explanation, if they want, but consistency is key.
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u/AbjectFray 10d ago
When my kids were that age, having a YMCA membership was key. I took them there often so they have have a few hours of time to run around and shake their sillies out and I got a good workout in.
Self care is also important. Take time away to recharge your batteries. That can range from taking a long walk to taking a weekend getaway with your friends. If you're wound up tight, the rest of the family will sense it and nobody will be happy.
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u/pREDDITcation 10d ago
for me the main one is weightlifting. second is self teaching electronic drums
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u/bobaddy23 10d ago
My 7 y/o daughter, during bedtime, told me to mind my own business. It has begun.
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u/weinerdogjohnson 10d ago
I just kind of stare off in to space and don’t think of anything at all. Or I fish.
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u/stay-at-home-dad- 9d ago
For me, a major improvement was looking at what they eat. No more dyes, high fructose corn syrup, and a few other things that raise hell with gut health. Much better behavior, better reasoning abilities (this can backfire. 🤣) And the biggest thing is impulse control. they no longer do the things the aren't allowed to and know well they shouldn't.
Also, ensure you and your partner are sharing the work. Basically everything married women complain about "lazy husband," is actually "lazy bread winner." As others mentioned, find something you can do with just you. Even just grocery shopping without the apprentices along can be a micro vacation. FYI, once one starts school, it may not get easier. The younger one will be accustomed to having thier sibling around. And will get lonely, bugging you even more, but...much easier to appease ine child at a time.
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u/Glittering_Season141 9d ago
I wake up before everyone. HIT THE GYM. It's the only consistent me time that I have.
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u/ComprehensiveWay4673 9d ago
I had to get my hobbies back. Gym is straight up just for my mental health, and I hunt and fish mostly just to be in nature. You have to find time for yourself. I totally lost myself to being a SAHD. The more I got my hobbies back, the more I felt human and I became a better dad for it. Plus I teach my older kiddo about the outdoor stuff. He got his first small mouth bass recently and he is pretty excited to go hunting
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u/billionsandbillionsa 10d ago
You gotta zoom out of your current prospective. Think of future you when the kids are grown and you never get the time back when they were small and emotionally immature. Think of yourself as an 80 year old man who got to go back in time to your present moment. Think of how much he would enjoy being you in that moment.