Children have seemingly boundless reserves of energy. Parents, unfortunately, don’t tend to share that same trait. Regardless of how you feel, you’ll have to learn how to keep up with your child. Fortunately, there are concrete steps that you can take in order to keep up with your child and ensure that you both get what you need.
Set Firm Limits
One of the first things you’ll need to do with your child is to establish limits about what’s acceptable and what is not. As a parent, you’ll need to set firm boundaries for your child in order for him or her to use his or her energy in a safe and productive manner. Your child should know what is allowed, where he or she can play, and what the immediate consequences will be for violating those rules. With firm limits in place, you will have a better idea of where and when you will need to expend your energy. It’s also important to pay attention to how and why they go outside of the set limits. You may be in a situation where you need to focus on understanding children with ADHD instead of getting frustrated with a seemingly rebellious child.
Create Schedules
While your child might be able to go all day, you might not have the same ability. As such, it’s a good idea for you to set up at least a loose schedule that gives your child time to get all of his or her energy out. Even if you’re looking at something as ‘we play before lunch, but after lunch is nap time’, you’re giving your child structure while maximizing your own energy usage. This can be a great way for you to make sure that your child gets plenty of time to play with you without worrying about getting work out.
Maximize Quiet Times
Your child will want to play when possible, so go with the flow when you can. Make the most of your quiet times to get off of your feet and to relax and recharge. Activities, like watching movies or playing board games, can be a great way for you to keep interacting with your child while not requiring you to keep moving at a breakneck pace. As always, taking some time for yourself while your child is napping or playing with friends can also be a good way to ensure that you are ready to go later.
Keeping up with your kids’ endless energy is really a matter of management. Set boundaries, create a schedule, and take your downtime when you can. You might not have the same fantastic energy reserves as a child, but a little planning will help you to stay on your feet.
