The Dont Lose Your Sh*t Challenge

The Don’t Lose Your Sh*t Challenge is exactly what it sounds like. Parenting is an endurance sport, and every day, we face moments where we’re tested. Some parents get more opportunities to “practice patience” than others (lucky us!), but every parent knows the struggle… unless, of course, you’re raising a legit robot. In which case, cool, but we’re here for those raising tiny humans who test boundaries like it’s their full-time job.

The Don’t Lose Your Sh*t Challenge** is all about helping you, the parent, keep your cool during those inevitable moments of chaos, stress, and meltdowns (theirs and yours). It’s about showing our kids what calm under pressure looks like — or at least faking it while they watch and then go scream in a pillow later.

Challenge Overview:

Duration: 7 days (let’s be real — this is a lifelong practice, but we’re starting with a manageable time frame).

Goal: Stay calm and patient when the craziness strikes, whether it’s your toddler pouring cereal on the floor for the third time or your teenager ignoring your existence. If you feel your temper rising, use one of the tools in your challenge toolkit to calm down before you hit the danger zone (said in highway to danger zone voice).

Okay, so lets take a look at how it works:

Start Each Day with an Intention (and probably some coffee)

Parenting is often a game of mental endurance, so it’s essential to set the tone for your day before the chaos begins. Think of it as your pre-game warm-up. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate ritual (though if you can manage one, more power to you). It can be as simple as taking a few quiet moments — yes, even before the kids wake up and the madness starts — to mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead. So, why does setting an intention matters? Well, starting each day with a clear intention is like giving your mind a blueprint to follow. By focusing on staying calm, cool, and collected, you’re setting yourself up for success. You’re priming your brain to expect challenges and face them head-on without getting overwhelmed.

How to Set Your Daily Intention

Take a Quiet Moment (Yes, Before the Kids Wake Up) I know this is easier said than done. But if you can, carve out 5–10 minutes for yourself. Whether it’s sitting quietly with your coffee, practicing a quick meditation, or simply enjoying the silence, use this time to center yourself before the day starts. If getting up before your kids isn’t possible (because sometimes they wake up at the crack of dawn), find a few minutes while they’re eating breakfast or even in the shower. During this time, set your parenting goal for the day and remind yourself: "Today, I will stay calm, no matter what comes my way." Make this your mantra. You’re not aiming for perfection; you’re simply committing to doing your best to maintain your composure. Think of your intention like a mental post-it note, something you can stick in the back of your mind and refer to when the day inevitably takes a turn toward chaos.

Pair Your Intention with an Action like a a physical ritual — and let’s be real, for many of us, that ritual is sipping on a much-needed cup of coffee. As you take that first glorious sip, remind yourself of your goal: stay calm, stay centered, stay present. If coffee’s not your thing, maybe it’s a glass of water, a quick stretch, or even going for a workout. The key is to combine your mental intention with a small action to lock it in. Remember by setting a daily intention, you're taking the first step toward approaching your day with mindfulness, patience, and control.

Even when the kids are loud, the house is messy, and life feels chaotic, returning to that intention can help you stay grounded. Whether or not everything goes according to plan, you'll know that you've equipped yourself with the mindset to handle whatever comes your way.

Here is another big one! Identify your triggers (Yes, You Have Them). Let’s be honest, we all have those things that drive us up the wall. Is it the morning rush? Is it the whining that somehow hits a frequency only dogs and parents can hear? Knowing what sets you off helps you stay ahead of the meltdown (yours, not theirs). If you know your triggers you can make an extra effort to avoid them or to better handle them. Let's go ahead and create ourselves a little toolkit to handle tough situations.

Create Your Calm-Down Toolkit (Because Losing Your Sh*t Isn’t an Option). These can include the following, but if you have something else that works add it to the list:

Think about what cools you down

• Deep breathing, Take a few slow, deep breaths — the kind that makes you feel like you’re channeling your inner yogi.

• Step Away (If You Can), sometimes a two-minute break to regain your sanity is all you need.

• Count to 10 Or 20. Or 50. However long it takes.

• Focus on Humor, can you turn the situation into something funny? (Easier said than done, but humor is a lifesaver).

• Mantra Power, repeat something simple like "I’ve got this" or "This too shall pass" — because it will.

• Keep a rock in your pocket you can play with when you are feeling anxious or about to blow

Add your own to the list down in the comments if you have some.

Now lets get to the fun part! And that is to celebrate the little wins (Because You Deserve It) Maybe you survive a tantrum without losing it? Did you stay patient when your kid asked the same question for the 16th time in 10 minutes? Those are all wins. At the end of each day, reflect on these little victories, and give yourself credit for the progress you’ve made. And why stop with giving yourself credit, while your at it give yourself a big ol glass of wine oran ice cold IPA or what ever floats your boat!

This next part is important for your own sanity. Journal your journey (A.K.A. Your Venting Space) take a few minutes each evening to jot down what went well and what was tough. Did you manage to stay cool, or did you have a moment where you just had to walk away? Writing it down helps you see patterns and find areas where you can improve, this will help you identify your triggers

The Aftermath (What You’ll Gain After 7 Days):

After a week, you’ll start to notice some big shifts in how you handle tough moments. The challenge might end, but the skills you develop will stick with you — helping you navigate the ups and downs of parenting with more grace, patience, and, let’s face it, a sense of humor.

So, parents, are you ready to take on The Don’t Lose Your Sh*t Challenge and emerge on the other side a bit calmer and a lot more zen? It doesnt matter if you are ready!!!

Because you are already playing and you can continue to play the way you are doing it now or you can try the dont lose your Sh*t challenge and see if it makes a difference.

I hope this was worth the read. I know I use some of the strategies here and they work well. Would love to hear if you have something else that works, so share in the comments!