Parent Self-Care:
Let’s be honest, parenting is one of the toughest jobs there is! Of course it’s fun and rewarding, yet it can be tiring, patience-testing, and downright stressful. Research continually indicates that parent health is associated with positive child adjustment and wellbeing. This is one of the many reasons it is important for parents to balance their children’s needs with their own. Here are just a few ways to engage in self-care.
Exercise: run, yoga class, bike, walk, better yet exercise with a friend
Read something pleasurable: a book, magazine, newspaper
Join a club: book club, cooking club, parent club
Go on dates with spouse/significant other
Spend time with friends
Connect with other adults or parents
Laugh, find humor in daily life
Meet spiritual needs
Sleep/nap
Have a few trusted babysitters on hand
Swap babysitting with a parent in your neighborhood
Watch or go to a movie
Go out for coffee or a meal
Spend time outdoors or in natural light
Get a massage, pedicure/manicure, or facial
Eat a well-balanced diet and enjoy a treat
Keep up with routine medical care
Journal
Keep up hobbies or learn something new
