10 Crucial Self-Care Parenting Tips To Balance It All

As a parent, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind and forget to take care of yourself. In order to give your kiddo the best possible care, it is essential that you practice self-care. These self-care parenting tips are here to help you create a balance between parenting and taking care of YOU. Self-care is taking time for yourself and creating healthy habits to meet your needs and the needs of your kiddo.

With that said, here are ten crucial self-care parenting tips on how to balance it all.

1. Create a Support Network

As a parent, creating a strong support network that you can turn to in times of need is SO important. This can include friends, family members, neighbors, online support groups, and your partner. Having a reliable source of help and advice is essential in times of stress and exhaustion.

One way to build a strong support system is to reach out to those around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if it is only for an hour or two! Trust me, it makes all the difference.

2. Recognize Stress Triggers

Recognizing stress triggers is a key part of self-care parenting. A stress trigger is any situation or event that causes a feeling of worry, fear, or anxiety. Knowing what your personal triggers are can help you to be better prepared to handle them. Plus it helps you reduce the amount of stress experienced when they occur.

Common stress triggers may include:

• Lack of sleep
• Finances
• Challenges in meeting the expectations of “parenting”
• Overwhelming schedules
• Unmet needs or goals

What are your stress triggers? Jot them down now.

Stress Trigger #1: _____________________________________________________________________

Stress Trigger #2: _____________________________________________________________________

Stress Trigger #3: _____________________________________________________________________

Stress Trigger #4: _____________________________________________________________________

Stress Trigger #5: _____________________________________________________________________

Once you have identified your stress triggers, you can begin to develop strategies to help prevent and manage them.

For example, if lack of sleep is a trigger for you, have a regular bedtime routine in place. Similarly, if finances are a concern, look into creating a budget to manage your finances more efficiently. The website “Mint” was a game changer for me to recognize the money we had going out vs coming in. Mint is a bookkeeping system for your home (there is an app you can download too). Plus, it’s FREE to use. It really opened our eyes to what we needed to “budget”!

Ok, the next step is to jot down the “strategies” you are putting in place to manage your stress triggers.

How To Manage Stress Trigger #1: _______________________________________________________________

How To Manage Stress Trigger #2: _______________________________________________________________

How To Manage Stress Trigger #3: _______________________________________________________________

How To Manage Stress Trigger #4: _______________________________________________________________

How To Manage Stress Trigger #5: _______________________________________________________________

Take the time to recognize your stress triggers and develop strategies to manage them. This allows you to create an environment of self-care that benefits both you and your kiddo.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, remember to take a step back and assess the situation. Ask yourself what is causing the stress, and how can I reduce it? Reach out to your support system if needed. Your support group may be able to help provide perspective or point you in the right direction.

3. Set Reasonable Expectations

Setting reasonable expectations for yourself is an essential part of self-care parenting. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities that come with parenting. But it is important to recognize that you are only human and have a limited amount of time and energy. So give yourself grace by setting realistic expectations for both you and your kiddo. You got this!

4. Take Time for Yourself

This is a biggie! Taking time for yourself is one of the most important aspects of self-care parenting. In order to provide your little one with the best possible care, make sure you are taking care of YOU.

Taking time for yourself allows you to relax and recharge your batteries both emotionally and mentally. In turn, it makes you better equipped to handle the challenges that parenting brings.

5. Get Enough Sleep and Exercise

Two of the most important things you can do for yourself are getting enough sleep and being active regularly.

Get adequate shut-eye.

Getting good sleep is necessary for both your physical and mental well-being. It will help you manage the stress and the daily challenges of parenting. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night in order to stay healthy and alert during the day. If you are in “baby mode” try to catch up on those Z’s when your baby does. Sleep when your baby is napping or hit the hay early when your baby does. Remember, this phase is short-lived!

Stay active!

Set aside YOU time for an exercise activity that makes you feel good. Whether that be a walk in nature, yoga, running, or lifting weights, do something to get your blood flowing. Staying active can contribute to a better mental and physical state. Why? Because exercise promotes endorphins which in turn may help you manage the stresses of the day. So bring on those happy endorphins!

6. Connect With Your Partner or Spouse

Having a supportive partner or spouse in the household helps your success as a parent. When you are feeling overwhelmed, your partner or spouse can provide emotional support. This type of practical help may make all the difference.

Make sure to keep communication open and honest between you both. Talk about any frustrations or issues that arise and work together towards solutions. If needed, seek additional help from family or friends who can provide child care or even just a listening ear.

If you’re a single parent, connecting with your support network (family, friends, or groups) is just as good!

7. Make Healthy Choices In Food and Drink

Another important part of your self-care is making healthy choices in food and drink. Being a parent can be draining, and it’s easy to reach for quick fixes like sugary snacks or fast food.

However, making healthier choices in food and drink can help you sustain your energy throughout the day. Some healthy options include:

• Water
• Coffee and tea without added sweeteners
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Whole grains
• Lean meats and poultry
• Eggs
• Legumes (beans and peas)

Fueling your body with nutrition is a great way to boost your mental health.

8. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Practicing mindfulness and meditation is an amazing self-care activity. Try to fit this into your daily routine AND it doesn’t need to take much time.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present “in the moment”, recognizing and accepting your current thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment.

Meditation is a powerful tool for gaining focus and clarity in life, allowing you to step back from negative emotions and stressful thoughts.

Take just a few moments each day to be mindful and meditate. By doing so, it helps reduce stress, increase focus, and create more joy in life!

9. Schedule FUN Activities With Your Kiddo

Juggling parenting and kidhood is hard sometimes to find an open window for fun activities. But rest assured, setting aside time to relax and have fun with your kiddo creates such an amazing bond.

I once heard a saying, “To a child, love is spelled T-I-M-E” and boy isn’t that the truth?!

Scheduling engaging activities helps you let go of stress and foster meaningful relationships with your kiddo. Here are some things you can consider doing:

• Go for a walk in nature
• The zoo
• Do arts and crafts like coloring, painting, drawing, or making things (like tie-died t-shirts)
• Go to a playground
• Sidewalk chalk
• Family game night
• Family movie night (be sure to bust out the popcorn and fun snacks!)
• Cook a meal together (like pizza or your child’s favorite treat)
• Ride bikes

Try to set aside some time once a week to do an activity both you and your child enjoy. This gives you an opportunity to bond AND create lifelong memories together.

10. Seek Professional Help If Needed

These self-care parenting tips are not just about taking time for yourself, but also recognizing when you may need more help to manage the stress and emotional strain. That is perfectly OK. Reaching out to a professional is a great way to express your needs, worries, or concerns in an unbiased environment. Remember that seeking professional guidance is not a sign of weakness – it shows strength in admitting we need extra help.

To Wrap It Up

Taking the time to practice self-care can be difficult, but it’s so essential in keeping yourself balanced and rejuvenated! Parenting days can be challenging and exhausting. But taking the time to care for yourself, is the best way to be your BEST self. From creating a support network to recognizing stress triggers, there are so many ways to practice self-care. Hopefully, these tips give you all the tools necessary to take care of YOU while being an amazing parent!

Until the next post, I’m sending you all the positive parenting vibes. 🙂

With Gratitude,

Linds

What other self care parenting tips do you recommend? Let me know in the comments below. Your input means a lot and helps other fellow parents who read this post!

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About The Author

Linds is the proud mom of two little miracles, Mono Mono twin girls, and one AMAZING older brother! She is the founder and content creator of Mono Mono Twins, Intensive Therapy for Kids, and Co-Founder of The LENN Foundation (a 510c3 that helps children with cerebral palsy receive grants for intensive therapies to thrive). ♥

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