Let’s give credit where credit is due; being a parent is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Do you think you’ve got it bad having to clock into your nine-to-five office job? Well, when you’re a parent, you never clock out. If something goes wrong at your office job, you go to a manager, and they’ll sort it out. As a parent, you’re the janitor, receptionist, office clerk, supervisor, and manager, while the CEO wails at you for Cocomelon and fruit snacks.
Anyone who signs up for this role deserves all the support and encouragement they can get, whether that’s yourself, your friend, a colleague, or your own parent. Sometimes, all that is needed is a little recognition to make the difference between a stressful day and a decent day, which is why it’s crucial to acknowledge all parents, including any of your friends.
Fortunately, there are many ways to show appreciation for fellow parents and improve their day. From sending digital or traditional thinking of you cards, offering help with a task, inviting them on a day out, checking in on them via call, text, or in person, sending them a little gift, and much more. If you’re still not sure how to make a fellow parent’s day better, we list several ways of cheering someone up regardless of the circumstance below:
Give Them A Genuine Thank-You
While the importance of manners is drilled into us from a young age, in today’s digital world, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ often aren’t said enough. If you think about it, when was the last time someone expressed gratitude to you? And how much better did you feel for having someone acknowledge your hard work?
According to researchers studying gratitude’s mental and physical effects on the human body, saying a simple ‘thank you’ can make you feel happier and healthier. Whether you’re expressing gratitude for a fellow parent doing something for you or want to thank them for being a good friend, people like to feel valued, and when they do, it can help make their day a little better. You can do this by sending them a quick text, calling into their house, sending a handwritten letter, or a digital thank you card like the ones from Greenvelope. From baby shower invites, engagement party invitations, and thinking of you cards, no matter the occasion, you can let your fellow parent know you’re thinking of them with a digital card.
As well as being able to choose from various beautiful themes and add your own customizations, digital cards are eco-friendly and can be sent/delivered in a matter of seconds, so your thinking of you cards will make days sooner than later. Consider visiting their site or contacting them directly for more information today.
Invite Them On A Day Out (Kid-Free Or Not)
If you’ve noticed that one of your fellow parent friends has been struggling over the past couple of weeks, whether their sleep schedule has been suffering or they need a good catch-up with friends. You can brighten their day, or at least give them something to look forward to, by organizing a fun day out to take their mind off their parent life.
Fortunately, whether you go by yourselves, with a group of friends, or even with your children, you and your friend can take advantage of many fun days out in the United States. You can find a variety of activities and days out using online guides, but that doesn’t mean you have to do something extravagant.
If you’d like to go all out and visit an amusement park, go on a mini-break, or go shopping in Rockefeller Center – we’re sure this will give your friend the burst of serotonin they need. However, suppose you want to show your fellow parent your appreciation without breaking the bank. In that case, we’re sure that something as simple as going out for coffee, having dinner together, or having a quiet evening together will brighten their day.
Alternatively, if you’d like a kid-free day out, you could plan something in advance so that you both have time to find childcare, giving you something to look forward to no matter how dire your circumstances might be.
Genuinely Compliment Them
Unfortunately, when we see someone often, it can be easy to miss little things about them. Whether they got a new haircut recently, had their nails done and bought a new sweater, in the moment, we may recognize the change but never voice it aloud.
Yet, whenever someone remembers the littlest thing about you or compliments a small thing, it can leave a lasting impression throughout the receiver’s day. So, ensure that you do your best to point out these things to your friend and tell them how wonderful they look now and again.
Your compliments don’t have to be appearance-based; you could tell them how great they’ve been doing at work, how well they handled that stressful situation, how good a job they’re doing as a parent, and much more.
Offer To Babysit Her Children Or Organize A Play Date
Another way you can make a fellow parent’s day is by offering to babysit their children or organizing a play date to give them some much-needed time off to spend with their partner (or by themselves!).
Let’s face it, no matter how many parents will swear up and down how much they adore their children, everyone needs a break from time to time. Just because our kids are our life doesn’t mean they have to be present for every moment!
Instead, ask your friend if they’d like to drop their child or children off at your house one afternoon; providing that you have children as well, it will be fun for both sets of kids and allow your friend to go for a quiet meal with their partner. Plus, it’ll give you a trump card to use when you want some kid freedom!
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