Why Parents Need Self Care Too

We know you’re all GR8 parents, and it’s important to remember that you need GR8 self care too. Whether you’re busy learning how to get your kids to eat healthier foods, dealing with temper tantrums, or raising teenagers, we get it. You’re busy. Super busy.

In addition to raising your kids, you’re also out there running errands, keeping up with things around the house, and maintaining your social life. A lot is going on. But it’s important to remember that parents need self care too.

Parental Burn-Out

You’ve probably heard the term “burn-out” by now. Burn-out has been making headlines. Professional burn-out is discussed often, but did you know there’s also a condition known as parental burn-out? It’s been studied by scientists, and it’s a real thing.

Parental burn-out happens when moms and dads experience chronic stress and start to question their parenting abilities. It causes them to feel like they’re not living up to the parenting expectations of those around them and can lead to feelings of detachment, isolation, and even depression.

Here at GR8NESS, we believe that no parent should ever have to feel this way. Self care can help.

Parents Need Self Care Too

As parents, you’re busy making sure your children have everything they need. That they make it to school on time, that their clothes are clean, and that they learn their manners. Kids require almost constant attention, and sometimes as parents, we forget to think about ourselves. We forget to think about what we need.

Pause for a second.

Think to yourself about when the last time you took a day for yourself was. Maybe not even an entire day. When was the last time you got dinner with friends without the kids? When was the last time you went to the movies with your significant other? When was the last time you just curled up with a good book or watched Netflix by yourself?

If you can’t remember the answers to these questions, you might need some self care.

Scheduling Self Care

Parenting comes with obligations and schedules. Your kids have a soccer schedule, a schedule of upcoming birthday parties, and a schedule of doctor appointments. Take this same approach to self care. Schedule some time for just you, or just you and your partner. Hire a babysitter or ask a relative to watch the kids for the evening, or a for few hours on the weekend.

Maybe you want to schedule a massage or a date night. Or, maybe you don’t want to plan anything at all, but instead, see where the “self care break” takes you. Maybe sitting at a coffee shop reading the news without toys flying over your head sounds like heaven.

Do it. Take the time and take care of yourself.

Don’t just schedule self care as a one-off. Make it a routine. Set aside time for yourself regularly to do things just for you. Whether you can make the time to schedule a weekend getaway, or if you have twenty minutes to set aside each night to meditate, reflect, write, read, or paint, set aside time to do something that brings you joy.

The Benefits of Self Care for Parents

As a parent, you’re at your best when you’re in a positive mental state. Once you start making time for self care, you’ll notice that you feel lighter, that the things around you seem better. You’ll be less likely to experience “parental burn-out,” and you’ll be fully present for your kids and your family. So go ahead and schedule some time for self care.

A Note from GR8NESS

We know that everyday life is crazy. If you think you may be experiencing parental burn-out, with feelings of depression that you can’t seem to shake, remember that there are professionals you can talk to. We believe in you and know that you’re doing a GR8 job raising your kids.