While there are about 3 good things to like about having Jonathan gone this week, there are about 3 million to love about having him home. Today, after reading a wonderful post on discipline by Emily at The Adventures of Miss Mommy, I thought I’d share the 4 things I do when I’m just done with parenting.

1. Tickle like crazy

I know that might seem weird, but when my kids are driving me crazy and I think I might lose it, I tickle them. Why? Because it relieves all sorts of tension. They start laughing, which makes me laugh and before we know it things seem a lot lighter and easier. It might not last long, but it helps get us by for 15-20 minutes {which honestly makes a huge difference}. So, if you see me tickling the girls a lot one day, it’s not because I’m just that awesome of a mama, but because I’m trying to keep it all together.

2. Scream

Ever felt like screaming at your kids? If not, you really must be a super-mama and have taken all my super-mama powers from me, because some days screaming seems like all I can do. And, actually, I’ve started screaming. Not at my kids, but with my kids. I read once in a parenting magazine about a mom who would have Tarzan screaming contests with her kids, so she could release some frustration with them without releasing it at them. When we do this, Julia gets the biggest kick out of it and we all walk away feel a little less stressed.

3. Walk away

Let’s be honest, mamas need breaks. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom before because I just had to have a moment alone. Sure, the girls were screaming at the door, but I needed two seconds to decompress. Walking away helps me reassess and recompose myself so that I can stay focused and in “control”. It also gives me a chance to pray like mad.

4. Pray, pray, pray

I’ve taken to using the 5-10 minutes while I’m nursing Hannah before naps to pray. I ask God for grace and direction for the rest of our day. I pray for peace and strength. When I walk away, I pray. I check my own heart to make sure that I’m staying the course and parenting with grace. I ask God to reveal sins and to help me stay in the Spirit while I battle the world {which can at times be the tantruming of a 1-yo}.

If you’ve read many of my posts, you’ll know I’m not perfect. Far from it. I’ve screamed at my children, I’ve not walked away when I should have, I’ve not prayed when I needed to. I’ve failed a 1,000 times over. But, I know God is still here, still guiding me along. And I keep going because I know that parenting is one race I don’t want to give up on.

What do you do when you’re done?