Being a parent often means that your world is completely run by playdates and pizza parties. Throw in homework and bath time and by the time the kids go to bed, you’re completely spent. In the time of COVID-19, the demands have only grown. Parenting is tough and self-care is integral to not only surviving those early childhood years, but really enjoying them. None of us are superheroes and without self-care, you cannot be the parent you want be. If you can find time for yourself, you are more likely to be a more patient and energetic parent for your kids!
Self-care can mean taking a quick break away from the family during bedtime or visiting an old friend for a weekend away. It can be a 5-minute meditation or a quiet cup of tea. Most important, is remembering to recognize the time that you use for self-care rather than brushing it off. It is easy to forget these moments in the midst of the busy of life, but that TV time after the kids go to sleep can be your version of self-care. There are so many ways to give yourself some TLC. One of the hardest things is finding the time to add it to your day.
How to “add” time to your day:
- Go out for dinner rather than cooking and cleaning.
- Have a babysitter or a family member watch the kids to have a date night or night out.
- Balance time with your partner and friends to give each other breaks. Maybe you take a friend’s kids to your place one night and switch the next week.
- Treat yourself to a cleaning service or a grocery delivery service.
- Find an exercise program you can do at home, removing travel time and keeping you socially distanced.
- Enroll your kids in a class at a local community center or after-school program.
- Plan a socially distanced playdate with a friend’s kids. While they play you can have some adult time.
- Introduce a “turn off time” each night when you shut your email and phone to take time for yourself. No interruptions allowed!
