What Practicing Self Care Teaches Your Children

For some reason, it’s a lesson that a lot of parents learn the hard way. If you’re not well, your family won’t be well. You see, we parents always tend to put our own wants and needs last. The thought of taking a break from our families can conjure feelings of guilt and anxiety in mothers and fathers alike. But, parenting is a tough job, and it can take a toll on even the strongest of us. The truth is that we all need a break sometimes. We need to make the time to take care of ourselves.

Lead by Example

The incredible bonus to tending to our own needs is that when our children see us as adults with healthy coping skills that include self care activities, they will be more likely to develop and practice these skills themselves. We already know that we are an enormous influence in our children’s lives. Now is the time to model in our own lives what we hope they will do in theirs.

Things You Can Do

It’s important to try to pick activities that don’t drain us further (step away from the screen) but instead replenish and revitalize us. The goal is to feel better afterward rather than feeling further behind on our to-do list. There are so many amazing ways to practice self care, but here are a few ideas:

Exercise

You’ll feel invigorated and your kids will see the importance of being active and staying physically fit throughout life.

Meditate

Meditation sends a powerful message to your body to release tension and relax. The calmness of meditation teaches children the importance of stillness and calm.

Enjoy a Date Night

The elusive date night will provide you with some much needed alone time with your partner and you’ll teach your children how important it is to maintain a strong committed relationship.

Pick Up a New Hobby

You’ll learn something new and your children will learn that there are an infinite number of ways to entertain themselves beyond what they already enjoy.

Take Lessons

The possibilities are endless. You’ll expand your skill set and your children will see that learning is exciting and something that extends far beyond the classroom.

The Bottom Line

Remember that we need to be a stable foundation that our children can always count on. We are the guiding lights that show them the way. To ensure that we are always the best versions of ourselves for them, we need to take time to keep ourselves well-cared-for and strong. We are worth the time for self care, and our children’s strength and resilience depends upon it.

A Note from GR8NESS

Parenting is stressful. Even under the best circumstances—when parents work together, support is readily available, and the children are happy and healthy—raising children is a daunting task. If you think you may be experiencing burn-out, with feelings of anxiety or depression, remember that there are professionals that can help. Remember how strong you really are, and know that you’re doing a GR8 job for your family.