If you want to be the best parent you can possibly be, then chances are, you don’t need to do more of anything when it comes to your kids. Look at your self care routine carefully. Are you looking after yourself, or are you parenting on empty? Many people are parenting on empty, and they don’t even realize it. Parenting on empty could mean not actually being present when your kids need you, or burning out pretty quickly. Nobody wants to experience burn out with kids to look after! Burn out can take months to recover from, and it’s so much more than just being tired. You’ll find that your brain is frazzled, that you feel unable to work, and that you don’t have the same love for doing the things you once enjoyed. Avoiding burn out and parenting your kids while taking care of yourself is crucial.
Here’s how you can stop parenting on empty and give the best of yourself to your kids:
1. Plan Self Care Into Your Every Day Routine
Start by planning self care into your everyday routine. If you don’t plan it in, it can easily get left on the back burner. If this happens, you’ll spend the whole day taking care of your kids, and might collapse in front of the TV in the evening if you’re lucky. This can hardly be classed as self care! Instead, make sure you plan your self care just like you would any other important activity. Plan a bath, plan your reading time, plan a massage, even. Give yourself time to eat your food, don’t rush it. All of these things can be classed as self care. If you don’t look after yourself, then you are also showing your kids how to look after themselves. Remember, you’re always setting an example!
2. Take On Less Work
If you’re working from home at the moment or find that work is leaving you unable to find balance in other areas of your life, it could be time to see if you can take on less of it. A quick chat with your boss and an explanation of your situation could be all it takes for you to have less to do and feel more at ease.
3. Ask For Help if You Need It
Many people don't like asking for help because they feel a lot of shame around it - surely they should be able to do everything alone? It’s important to ask for help if you feel you need it. It can be hard being vulnerable, but you’ll feel so much relief when you have a hand.
4. Consume Foods and Supplements That Energize You
Foods and supplements can play a huge part in how energized you feel and how well you take on the day. See if you can combat your anxiety with things from stores like this Harvest House of Cannabis place, and make sure you pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods.
5. Don’t Forget To Spend Time Alone
Having time alone, remembering who you are is key. You’re not just a parent. What did you do before? Read? Run? Paint? Make sure you spend time getting back to yourself where possible!
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