2. Pick One Thing. Many of us wear our multitasking crowns with pride; after all, we are parents, and there is so much to get done. Multitasking is often counterintuitive, making us less productive because we are unable to organize information well. Plus, it increases the stress hormone in the body. When things are going badly, the one thing we don’t need is stress. So, pick one thing you can do. Address the broken zipper. And then move on to the next. Find a shoe. Pack the bag. Picking one thing at a time and serially working through your micro-emergency list will help you get more done with less stress for everyone involved. 3. Verbalize. Being honest goes a long way, especially with kids. They know you’re upset just by a look or the sound of we can’t keep doing this, and where in the world was that missing shoe?! We did what we always do. We let the dog clean up the cereal, I insisted (rather forcefully) on my youngest switching to a different pair of shoes, and I started spouting out math facts as I worked on the zipper. We were getting it done. But none of us were happy. And this was not the way I wanted to send everyone off on their day. Have you had mornings like this? A bad morning does not mean a bad day. Here are 8 ways to turn things around. 1. Exhale. Seriously. It helps. Let out all that you’re holding on to and breathe. It sounds so simple, but research shows that breathing can change your state of mind, and perhaps that’s the best chance to turn things around. 110 HAWAII PARENT January/February 2026 When breakfast hits the floor, take a breath. This is your reset moment. “Picking one thing at a time will help you get more done with less stress.”
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