Self-Care for Parents and Children

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Self-Care for Parents and Children

Childhood evokes memories of carefree days of riding bikes, hanging out at the park with friends, and school lunchroom shenanigans. And, for most children, that’s exactly what those years are, a time with little responsibility and seemingly endless free time. Whether they sport capes and boots to be superheroes or roam their backyards with a magnifying glass and pith helmet to be great explorers, it is a time that goes by much too quickly.

Little Pitchers’ Ears

But, beyond children looking up to teachers, astronauts, and yes, superheroes as role models, they look to their parents for how to become the person they will someday be. They learn how to handle anger, disappointment, change, and defeat by watching how their parents cope with all of those. They watch, listen, absorb, and then recreate all they learn. We all know the phrase “Little pitchers have big ears.” But they have eyes too and an uncanny ability to imitate what they see and hear. They watch how you treat others to be sure, but they also watch how you take care of yourself. That’s why caring for yourself is as important as caring for them.

Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

Self-care can mean a lot of things and it can also mean different things to different people. Some may consider being among others a way of refreshing and reconnecting, while others need alone time to accomplish the same thing. Some may consider a strenuous workout necessary for relieving stress while others find a quiet walk through a park is what they need. But some things are universal as far as self-care is concerned.

● Medical experts agree that a minimum of 30 minutes per day is necessary for maintaining our health and any less than that leaves us vulnerable to a host of chronic illnesses.

● A proper diet or its evil twin, a bad diet, strongly affects how we feel, not just overall but even hour-to-hour, even our mood.

● Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Less than that and we risk our health, our moods swing wildly, we become short-tempered, and we are much less productive.

● One can exercise, eat right, get enough sleep, and still be prone to anxiety and depression. Luckily, there’s counseling available online. With same-day appointments available and most insurance accepted, you can choose a therapist and talk with them in the privacy of your own home.

Additional Self Care for Our Children

Self-care for children will incorporate many of the same principles of exercise, a proper diet, adequate sleep (school-age children need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep per night), and an uncluttered environment. However, there are some additional things to teach your children regarding their own self-care as well as some you can join in on.

● For young children, teach them deep breathing exercises for times they seem over agitated or angry or to teach them mindfulness. Using a pinwheel to practice makes it a game as well.

● Try using question cards at mealtimes to get them to open up about how they feel, how their day went, or as a means of expression. You can buy a box or print them out yourself.

● Remind them that emotions are normal, even negative ones like anger or jealousy. Teach them how to manage and cope with negative emotions rather than telling them those are “bad.”

● Taking walks together helps ease conversations, but so does walking without talking for some of that time. It allows you both to enjoy being in each other’s presence with no expectation of conversation.

● And finally, there are many good resources online, including trusted reviews and family care advice.

Self-care for you should bring clarity of mind and energy. Self-care for the kids brings everyone on board. Don’t wait to give your mind and body what they need. Revitalize your family by putting your family first.

Children’s Humanitarian Services promotes awareness of issues that affect children and implements resources to help children in need in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and California. Get involved today!