Motherhood is a rewarding and fulfilling experience but it can also be incredibly challenging when it comes to maintaining patience in the face of tantrums, spilled milk and endless demands. As a mom, you are probably already juggling multiple responsibilities and facing constant pressure. Throw in petulance in the mix and you’ve got yourself a situation where you’re likely to get angry.
Consider these scenarios: You’re just arrived home after a long day at work and you’re trying to get dinner on the table while also refereeing a squabble between two of your kids and helping another with his homework. Or, it’s Monday morning and you’re frantically trying to get yourself and everyone else out of the door on time, and your child throws a tantrum because he doesn’t like the shirt you’ve prepared for him to wear.
It is a fact of life that every parent will get frustrated from time to time. There is no such thing as a perfect parent or a perfect child. You are after all, only human. And getting angry is normal. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find your inner calm and become a more patient parent.
The Importance of Patience
Being a patient parent is important because it allows for better communication with your child. It fosters a healthy parent-child relationship and helps you understand their needs and feelings. A lot of times when children act out, it is not because they want to be “naughty” or disobedient but because they need you to pay attention to them. When children feel valued and loved, they are calmer, respond better when asked to do something, and are eager to please.
Also, as a mom, you are one of the primary role models for your children. Demonstrating patience teaches children this valuable trait and models positive coping mechanisms for them to adopt into their own lives when handling challenges. According to a 2015 study, children tend to manage their emotions by mimicking their parent’s emotional techniques. So, know that what you do is being watched and copied all the time.
Furthermore, when you are patient, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed, which can negatively impact your mental and emotional health.
If you’re constantly facing challenges that test your patience, here are some practical strategies to help you become more patient.

1: Practice Self-Care
When you’re busy with parenting, it’s easy to put your own needs aside but self-care is essential for your well-being. It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. This means getting enough sleep as lack of sleep can make even the most patient person irritable and short tempered. Eat a healthy diet to nourish yourself. Proper nutrition can have a significant impact on your mood and energy levels and give yourself a little “Me” time such as pursuing a fun hobby or simply taking the time to relax.

2: Exercise
Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and tension. Go for a run, take up yoga or do some other form of exercise that you enjoy. You’ll not only release pent-up energy; you will also get endorphins flowing which will help improve your mood.

3: Practice Mindfulness
Practising mindfulness can significantly enhance patience. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention and being fully engaged and present in the moment, and can involve techniques like deep breathing to cultivate awareness and reduce stress.
When practising mindful parenting, focus on your children completely. Spend some time to play with or talk to them. Put away your phone, don’t think about or do anything else to give them your full attention. Be present for them. This not only helps you become more patient but also strengthens your bond with your children.

4: Manage your Triggers
Identifying triggers is probably one of the most critical aspects of managing patience. Ask yourself: What sets you off? Noting the situations that trigger your impatience may help you prepare for those situations in the future. Some possible scenarios that trigger impatience might include: Running late for school or sports or appointments, tantrums, whining, siblings fighting, disobedience and when you are tired and hungry. Being “hangry” has a way of making you testy.
Take note of these situations and take steps to prevent them from happening. If your child is running late, for instance, try to do everything you can to save time on busy mornings. This can mean laying out their clothes the night before, packing lunch and snacks ahead of time, and packing their school bags and projects and putting them by the door.
As you explore triggers and begin to make shifts in your routine, you will notice that things will run more smoothly and losing your patience such as raising your voice or becoming frustrated will occur less frequently.

5: Positive Reinforcement
Instead of focusing on your child’s misbehaviour, highlight their positive actions and behaviours. Catch them when they are well behaved and acknowledge these behaviours. Offer praise and rewards for more positive behaviour and encourage your children with kind words and small incentives.

6: Establish Routines
One of the most important things for young children is routine. Children thrive on routines and having a structured daily schedule can make your day much more manageable. Not only will a daily routine provide opportunities for planning ahead which can reduce chaos, and complete tasks on your to-do list, it will also give your children an idea of what to expect for their day which can decrease meltdowns and improve your child’s behaviour. To take it further, you can also create a shared family calendar so that everyone in the family knows what to expect. This reduces last minute surprises and disagreements which can lead to a calmer and more balanced approach to parenting.

7: Set Boundaries
One of the best ways to avoid feeling angry is to set boundaries with your children. In fact, kids need boundaries which can draw the line between which behaviours are acceptable and which ones are not. Young children testing their boundaries is a normal developmental phase so expect them to push these boundaries and learn to say “no” when these boundaries are tested. Clearly communicate your expectations to your children and stick to the established rules. If they cross the limits, be sure to enforce the consequences calmly and consistently. This consistency will help reduce conflicts between parent and child.

8: Stay Organised
Disorganisation can lead to feelings of chaos and stress. One of the first steps to getting organised is to declutter your home. Regularly go through your belongings to eliminate what you no longer need. A clutter-free environment can help create a more peaceful atmosphere. You can also streamline your routines and responsibilities to simplify your life. Sometimes, overcomplicating matters leads to unnecessary stress. Use to-do lists to keep track of tasks and appointments. Cross off items when you complete them to give you a sense of accomplishment.

9: Prioritize your Tasks
As a mom, it’s important to remember that you can’t do everything by yourself and especially all at once. Try to think about things according to their priority levels. Focus on what truly matters. Say yes to activities and commitments that align with your priorities and values and decline those that don’t. If your spouse is away and there isn’t any other help around, prioritize only the basics and make time for that much needed quality time with your little ones.

10: Practice Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. When your child is acting out, put yourself in their shoes and look at the situation through their eyes. A child’s perspective is very different from yours. What may seem like a small matter to you can feel very big to them. Not finding their favourite toy, for example, can be devastating to them. Understanding their feelings can help you respond with compassion instead of anger.

Morinaga Chil-kid
Becoming a more patient mom is a process that takes time and effort but that’s what makes you a good parent. You are taking the steps to show your children you love them through the good and tough times.
One of the steps you can take in raising a healthy, happy child is in choosing the right formula milk. It is a known fact that nutrition plays a big role in children’s mental and physical development. Poor nutrition can negatively impact children’s behaviour, leading to issues like hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating and mood swings whereas a well-balanced diet can improve focus, emotional stability and overall well-being.

Morinaga Chil-kid is a nutrient-dense, growing up milk that has been optimally balanced to provide all the essential nutrients to your growing child. Packed with DHA and ARA, Inositol, Omega-3 and Omega-6 LCPs, GOS, 5 Nucleotides, Protein, and 21 vitamins and minerals, the milk helps children aged one to seven achieve optimum growth and development.
Dissolving easily in lukewarm water, Morinaga Chil-kid takes the stress and time out of the preparation. Just two servings a day, alongside meals, it helps your children meet their Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI). This means they will not be short of any nutrients they may need for their daily development and growth.
The fully imported, new and improved Morinaga Chil-kid, with its mild vanilla taste, features no sucrose and enhanced micronutrients. It is formulated in Japan and is wholly produced in the Netherlands where it goes through stringent product examinations and a double-inspection process before it is exported to Malaysia.