Parenting Tips: Taking Care of Yourself

Parenting Tips
brought to you by

a ministry of America World Adoption
“…taking hold of the hope set before us…” – Hebrews 6:18 

 

Taking Care of Yourself

Parenting, while one of the most precious jobs any of us ever takes on, can also be tough.  Self-care is critically important in maintaining energized and effective parenting.  Here are some tips that might be helpful in getting in some well-deserved self-care:

1. 1.  Ensure you are making some time each day to spend with God.  As our Rock and our Foundation, our Strength and our Shield, God alone is our one guaranteed place of refuge, rest, and hope.
    
2. 2.  Maintain connection with your spouse.  Try to spend a little time (or a lot of time, if you can make that happen) each day with your spouse to talk about your day, thoughts, feelings, troubles, and more.  Take weekly date nights if you can.  Also, maintain a close connection with a friend or two.
    
3. 3.  Establish a relationship with someone who can provide worry-free babysitting, or respite care, for your children when you need it.  Whether it be for a few hours here and there for you to run to the grocery store or get in date night, or whether it is for a few days as you “cool off” in a tumultuous relationship with a teen or to give you time to jet off to an awesome marriage conference, having someone knowledgeable and reliable to help care for your children occasionally can be incredible in helping you be a better parent.
    
4. 4.  Take care of your body and your health.  Do whatever it takes to make sure you are getting enough good sleep and good food to keep you energized and thinking clearly.  When you are sick, let others help you so you can heal.
    
5. 5. Maintain your identity.  What do YOU love to do?  What is YOUR hobby?  Don’t push so deeply into running your kids to ball practice and therapy appointments, fixing the lunches and washing their clothes, working the extra hours to pay for their needs, that you lose sight of your own identity.  Finding just a little time each week or each month to do what you like to do can help bring you back to the “bigger picture” and give you a clearer sight of what is good for you and what is good for your kids in the long-term.

I know these things may sound simplistic, and I know that every person’s situation is uniquely complicated.  But, even taking on one or two of these things will likely help you re-energize.  Let us know if we can help!

ACT (Adoption Coaching and Training) is a ministry of America World Adoption designed to support families through training, support groups, and individualized coaching.  Explore ACT services on our website here, and reach out to us today for a free consultation to make a plan to meet your needs.