“To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family” Michelle Obama
Yep – everything Michelle says! I couldn’t agree more BUT it can be a whole lot easier said than done.
When everything is piling up, when you’re home alone with the kids, when you don’t have the energy to look after the kids never mind yourself because you find yourself in this perpetual circle of tiredness that it’s hard to get out of.
When the things to do are more than you’d like – the appointments, school requests, dishes, the washing, the tidying, life admin, work (if you also have a paying job) and more. When the kids need your full attention but you’re touched out and sleep-deprived.
When each day is so much harder than you expected it to be. When you’re unsure what taking care of yourself even means anymore because even when you do get some time all you can think about are the kids and everything that needs to be done.
When your thoughts take over and you worry about what could happen, if you’re doing things right and if you’re doing the best thing for your kids. When you try to think about the future but you can’t see past the moment you’re in.
Looking after ourselves as parents is as hard as parenting itself. I know this as much as you do.
But you know what? I don’t mind how you choose to parent or what bits you find easy or hard. I don’t mind if your kids run riot or sit quietly, if they sleep or they don’t.
What I care about is that you’re OK and I’m here for it when you need someone to listen.
Truly, without judgement.
Email me charli@doitlikeamother.co.uk
Charli
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