Managing Everyday Life When Your Family Is Struggling

1. Get some sleep.  I know this is so simple it borders on ridiculous, but I feel it's the single most important thing a parent can do – and I have to remind myself of this constantly. We all want to grab alone time once the kids are in bed, but, eventually, lack of sleep will make you sick, crazy, and unable to cope with normal or challenging child behavior. When you feel stressed, it's tempting to zone out in front of a screen, but don't. Don't stay up watching Law and Order reruns. Don't spend hours on Pinterest hating the crafty, organized moms who have time to build a pink lemonade stand. Staring at a screen for hours through blurred eyes will depress you. Opt for a soak in the tub or reading a fun magazine. Then go to sleep.
    
2. Keep life predictable in your household. I got this advice from Dr. Nancy Curtis at the International Adoption Clinic at Oakland Children's Hospital when my children arrived. Internationally adopted kids have gone through a tremendous upheaval, she said; it helps them feel safe if they can predict what's coming next. Try to keep mealtimes and bedtimes consistent. If you go out to eat, stick to the same restaurants. If you go to the park, go to the same one every time. Following the doctor's approach made our lives downright boring when the kids were small, but I know consistency helped them adjust.
   
   Routine can be harder to pull off when you've got older kids involved in sports and activities. A regular schedule also may not be practical for parents who work odd hours. But trust me: predictability is worth shooting for. Kids who've experienced instability in the past will feel more secure with a routine, and you'll enjoy happier, more cooperative children. Now that my kids are fourth- and fifth-graders, they are able tolerate a lot more variety and spontaneity, but I still try to keep things as boring as possible. Finally, if you know you're going to have to deviate from the usual, brief your kids in advance about the alternate plan. Try not to catch them off guard.
    
3. Hire as much household help as you can afford. An adoptive mom of rambunctious Ethiopian twin boys gave me this warning before my kids arrived. I didn't want to hire anyone –- I wanted to save money and be Supermom -- but after I had three rambunctious preschoolers of my own speaking two different languages under my roof, I got the point.
   
   I found a homeschooled teenager to be a mother's helper a few mornings a week so that I could take the kids to the park and avoid a nervous breakdown when one child climbed a tree, one bolted for the bathroom, and the third threw a tantrum at the top of the slide. I also found a house cleaner willing to run to the grocery and make an occasional meal. Even with help and a great husband, my first year as a mom was exhausting and teary, but at least I didn't have to clean the toilets.
   
   Of course, not everyone can afford to hire regular help. Thankfully, there are lots of low cost options out there to relieve some pressure. Many grocery chains offer online ordering and home delivery. Safeway's delivery fee is just $3.95 – a small price to pay to avoid dragging a bunch of kids to the store when you're frazzled.  If you've hit a rough patch and the laundry is overflowing (or if, hypothetically speaking, everything in your house needs to be washed because you have three kids with lice), find a local laundromat that provides drop off, fluff ‘n fold service.
   
   Another resource I love is Taskrabbit, which operates in nine large metro areas around the country. The site allows you to post a job you need done and what you're willing to pay. Vetted "taskrabbits" in your local area then submit competitive bids, which makes this a really affordable service. Payment goes through the Taskrabbit site after the job is complete. You can hire someone for a big job, like organizing your closet, or something as small as returning your library books. I've used taskrabbits to organize my kids' art supplies, clean my garage, and create an Excel spreadsheet.

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