Self Care for Parents

Parenting can be hard, demanding, exhausting at times. Self care for parents can help you be there for whatever your child’s needs may be, and allows you to show up as the best version of yourself. There are certain actions you can take in order to make sure you are taking care of yourself and feel your absolute best.

Here are some tips for parent self care:

1. Don’t forget about your basic needs.

   Having kids is busy, and even sometimes chaotic, but don’t push yourself to the backburner.

• Remember to eat

• Try to get enough sleep

• Drink water

2. Ask for support.

   It takes a village, but you won’t get the help you need from neighbors, friends, family, school etc. if you don’t ask or show that you need it.

• Ask for babysitters for date nights

• Ask a friend or family member to help with rides

• See if other parents can do carpools

3. Recognize that parenting is difficult.

   Sometimes you just need to admit to yourself that you are doing something that is hard, and you need to give yourself grace. It’s as simple as that.

4. Model self care.

   Taking care of yourself will show your kids that this is a priority, and they will do the same. 

• They will adapt healthy habits

• You will be able to be more available to them

5. Accept that you have limitations, and you can’t do everything yourself.

• Find your stress limit

• Avoiding burnout is asking for help

6. Start small.

   Self care can come in many forms! It can really be anything that you do solely for you that makes you feel good.

• Self care does not need to be expensive or fancy

• Self care does not need to be time consuming

• Take a bath

• Meditate for 5 mins

• Read at night

• Watch a (NON KID) movie

7. Find other parent friends.

   Other parents who can relate to you when you are in the thick of it are really important! This can make you feel supported and also give perspective.

• Social media can help you connect

• Support groups are available as well

• Chat with parents at after school activities 

8. Connect socially outside of parenting.

   Remember that you are a whole person who does have a life aside from being a caregiver.

• A phone call with a friend can help

• Going for walks with friends can help

• Having coffee dates, dinner dates, and movie dates that are kid-free is good too

9. Connect with your partner outside of parenting.

• Date nights and breaks from kids are important

• Try not to have kids co-sleeping every single night, as this can put strain on some relationships (not all!)

• Go to concerts, go see movies, or really anything you like to do as a couple kid-free

• Spend some time together at the end of the night doing something that feels like quality time

10. Give yourself those small, mindful moments.

    Check in with yourself when you have a quiet moment and the free time and see if there is anything you need that you are not giving yourself.

• When the kids are at school/ camp/ friends’ houses

• Car rides alone to/from work or home

• When running errands, doing chores, or starting/ending your day

If you feel like your own mental health has not been at its best, and you are in need of more support beyond self care, it’s possible that you could benefit from having a therapist of your own. If you feel like your child, teen, or family could use a therapist as well due to their own struggles, feel free to reach out to Amel Counseling & Consulting for more information. We can provide you with a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see how we are able to support you and your family.