As a parent, making out time for yourself can be so challenging, but you still need to make time so you can live a healthier life. Make out time for self-care and prioritize it. Keep in mind that giving to yourself helps you give to your family.
Below are ways to practice self-care as a parent:
1. Create a household schedule
Set out daily and weekly activities for you and your family. Don’t over-pack your schedule; having kids means having to make last-minute adjustments! And, if your schedule is always jam-packed, take it as a sign that you really need to simplify things.
2. Prioritize time for yourself on the household schedule
Base your scheduling on what you need most from your own time. It might be a long walk with in the morning, a quiet afternoon, or a nice weekly phone call.
3. Share tasks with your partner or close family members
If you have a partner who takes part in childcare, make sure each of you is doing your fair share of the work. Take responsibility for certain childcare duties and delegate others to your partner. That way, you’ll both get more down time.
- Feel free to switch up the responsibilities from time to time, to help fend off boredom and/or frustration. For instance, take daily or weekly turns making dinner, doing the laundry, etc.
- If you’re a single parent, don’t feel guilty about asking your siblings, or other loved ones for a helping hand.
Read also: Important Life-Saving Skills Every Parent Must Know To Keep Children Protected
4. Create some time for yourself while the children are asleep or while they are at school
Those precious moments while your children are asleep are prime time to practice self-care. Based on their typical sleep schedules, establish a good time for your self-care and commit to keeping it just for you.
5. Explain self-care to your children
If your children ask about your self-care or demand your attention when you’re trying to take a time-out, let them know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. This will help them respect your practices. It can also help them accept that it’s important to take care of themselves, and recognize how that might look.
6. Make yourself accountable for doing regular self-care
Pair up with your partner so he can remind you to take time for yourself. Check in with each other about what you need. They might notice that you’re feeling frazzled or that you’ve met a lot of your kids’ needs without meeting your own. Keep an eye out for each other, and remind each other when you need a break.
Read also: 10 Guidelines A Good Mother Must Follow To Set The Pace Right For Her Children
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