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Prioritise self care for parents!!!

Updated: Jun 15, 2022

This week is child's mental health awareness week.


The Duchess of Cambridge delivered this message ' to be the best versions of ourselves for the children in our care '

https://youtu.be/PEBURwEL9HM


My own personal journey through parenting has highlighted the need and importance for self-care. I know what you might be thinking.


Child's mental health week is about the children or Why is my self-care important for my children!


That's what I used to think. I remember a dear friend of mine years ago saying If you don't look after yourself, how can you look after others'. I was young just had my first child and was juggling a job and a new baby. So, my friend who was going out partying with lots of free time I heard myself thinking ‘What do you know? Verbalising in my head you don’t have a new baby, a job, a partner, juggling housework, dinner finding the energy to spend time with friends. You’re still going out partying with loads of free time! How on earth do you think I can find the time!


Little did I know that 6 years later I took the best step for myself and joined a dance class just for me. By this time, I now had 3 children and I know it took me 6 years but when I did, I remember what my friend said, I apologised of course; although she was not aware of those thoughts at the time.


In that moment I recognised the importance of self-care and began my journey to find ways to love the inner me. That lovely little inner child within me, like I did for my other children.


I found ways to fit my own self care into my daily life from 5 mins to 1 hour rituals and decided to give myself a break from time to time with my girlfriends by going to a spa or a day out.


It was a revelation! I really started to understand my friend’s suggestion and noticed how much more present I was, I had better coping skills, I spent more quality time enjoying the children and just felt calmer to manage life’s ever-changing journey.


So let me ask you this:


Imagine your child not receiving love and none of their needs being met. How do they respond and react when this is happening?

  • What would be the benefits for spending just 10 mins a day on YOU?

  • How do you respond with your children when you are well rested, have energy and feel calm and relaxed?

  • What happens to YOU when you don't spend any time on YOU?

  • How do you respond to your children when you are tired, under nourished of love for yourself?

Curious questions that can evoke some interesting answers. This self-awareness of how your way of being and showing up in the world all starts with your inner self. When you are feeling good from within, it causes a ripple effect all around you. I know you know this, and I also know there are some deep-rooted hidden beliefs that may be imprinted within your mind and body. You might hear yourself saying I don’t have enough time, I don’t deserve to spend money or time on me, there is too much to do, its