This free self-care checklist and assessment is exactly what you need to jumpstart your self-care routine. Designed specifically for parents, the self-care checklist doubles as a self-care assessment and self-care routine planner.
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When you have kids, focusing on quality self-care can be a serious challenge. It’s easy to put yourself last, and often, your self-care routine falls by the wayside.
There are so many other things that seem to come first. Your kids need lunch, the bathroom needs yet another cleaning, laundry is piling up, you’ve got to go to that thing at the school, the list goes on and on. It’s enough to put you in a perpetual bad mood.
But sometimes all you need to do is get a little more organized, even if it’s just for a minute, and a checklist can help with that!
A Self-Care Checklist Can Help
So all of that to say – parenthood is tough and it takes a toll on your health. With all the joy comes pain and stress, too. And of course it’s completely worth it, but that doesn’t mean you have to love every minute of it.
Being a parent is a lot of work.
So what if you had a tool that could help you get a better self-care routine? Well, dear parent – you’ve found it! I designed this checklist after I had my first baby and it was a lifesaver. Read on to discover how the The Ultimate Self-Care Checklist for Parents will make your self care dreams come true!
Why is Self-Care Important for Parents?
Self-care is important for all humans, but it is especially crucial for parents.
Research shows that people who engage in self care activities experience less stress and higher quality of life.
Doesn’t that sound nice? Just imagine how much easier it would be to handle your daily parenting challenges if you had less stress!
Happy #InternationalSelfCareDay! Don’t know what #selfcare means? @rashawndajames is here to help – https://t.co/aLpiPV5DS2 pic.twitter.com/QeS9C64bvQ
— YouTube (@YouTube) July 24, 2020
Amazing, right?!
And do you know what else? The most beautiful thing about practicing regular self-care is that it’s self-sustaining: a consistent self-care routine leads to more time for regular self-care!
Self-Care is Self-Sustaining
Picture this:
- You incorporate a regular self-care routine.
- Therefore, you feel better, operating at a calm baseline.
- Then, when challenges arise, you tackle those challenges with a cool head.
- Your level-headed responses allow you to manage problems more efficiently than you would have if you were stressed out. Thus, you solve more problems than you create.
- Solving problems quickly prevents them from piling up.
- Fewer problems on your plate means more time to do the things you enjoy. In other words, you have more time for self-care!
The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
Watch this video to see the self-sustaining benefits of self care in action:
Finding Time to Care for Yourself
I know what you’re thinking: ‘That sounds great and all, but how am I supposed to fit anything else into my day?’
I completely understand. Most parents want to take better care of themselves, but something usually prevents them. The desire to practice better self-care is rarely the problem.
The trouble is, you are a parent, and therefore you are BUSY!
You’ve got homework, sports, doctor appointments, and constantly meeting the needs of your children.
And that list doesn’t even include all the “adulting” you have to do.
So what can you do?
How do you make time for your own self-care when your day is already so jam-packed with caring for others?
Why, the same way you organize everything else – with a CHECKLIST, of course!
You could also try some of the activities on this Self-Care for Busy Parents Infographic 🙂
The Two Main Reasons You Need a Self-Care Checklist
1. You’re Stuck in a Rut
Many overwhelmed parents catapult themselves through hectic days, just trying to make it through. What’s more, they are often unable to spot the repetitive patterns that keep them stuck in survival mode.
When you are “in it”, it can be tricky to step outside of yourself and see where you can improve.
That kind of chaos can be blinding.
And without intervention, it pretty much guarantees you will stay stuck in a rut. It’s nearly impossible to cut through the noise and see the steps you need to take to build a new self-care routine when you’re running ragged every day.
If that sounds familiar, then it means two things:
ONE – it’s absolutely time for you to change things up, stop merely surviving, and start thriving!
AND TWO – you need this self-care checklist!
What’s on your self-care checklist?#selfcare pic.twitter.com/0zqUM78UA3
— Mindowl.org (@mindowl_org) July 28, 2020
2. Objective Assessment Can Improve Your Habits
If there was one thing I learned through my work with families, it was this: objective feedback from an outside observer is a powerful tool for change.
Objective feedback, while not always easy to hear, and sometimes painful to absorb, is worth it’s weight in gold.
When you accept and examine objective feedback, it allows you to see things more clearly. It also helps you create a targeted and organized improvement plan.
And that is exactly what this self-care checklist will do for you. It will provide you with the objective data you need to design a self-care plan that’s right for you.
Why This Self-Care Checklist is Unique
The Centered Parent’s Ultimate Self-Care Checklist for Parents was specifically designed to help you cut through the noise and assess your self-care needs.
Our self-care checklist allows you to assess and evaluate the current state of your self-care routine. Additionally, it features a checkbox column where you can mark the specific activities you want to include in your new a self-care plan!
Read on to find out exactly how to use our comprehensive self-care checklist.
Click below to grab your very own free copy now!
How to Use This Self-Care Checklist
The coolest thing about our self-care checklist is that it serves two functions. More specifically, it’s part assessment, part self-care plan.
First, download your free copy here.
Next, follow the directions below to get started.
The Ultimate Self-Care Checklist for Parents is divided into several sections to provide you with a thorough assessment and well-rounded plan.
The sections include:
- Emotional Self-Care
- Physical Self-Care
- Mental Self-Care
- Spiritual Self-Care
- Professional/Work-Life Balance Self-Care
- Social Self-Care
- Family Self-Care
- Other Self-Care Ideas
- My Own Self-Care Activities
Completing the Assessment
In order to complete the assessment portion of the checklist, you must rate how often you engage in each listed activity. Simply circle or highlight the corresponding smiley face.
Additionally, you can circle or highlight the heart to make note of the activities you love. Or, circle or highlight the start to denote activities that you want to do more often.
Creating Your Own Personalized Self-Care Plan
In order to create your personalized self-care plan using the checklist, you simply click the check the box of the items you wish to include. If completing the checklist electronically, you can simply click the box!
See the example below?
The green highlight boxes represent the user’s assessment of each item and the checked boxes represent the activities they are adding to their self-care plan.
Find what recharges you and make it happen. Even if it’s a bit unusual ? #selfcare #parenthood #FridayMotivation pic.twitter.com/dmHfu8h5vS
— Hayley Gallagher, LPC (@CenteredParent) August 31, 2019
About the Types of Self-Care on This Checklist
The assessment portion of our self-care checklist allows you to see which activities you could stand to do more often. What’s more, it allows you to spot the areas that may need more attention.
For example, if you score low in the Social Self-Care domain, you may decide to prioritize activities like dinner with friends, joining a book club, or volunteering at your local food bank with your kids.
Self-Care Activities for Every Part of You
In order to get the most out of the checklist, it’s helpful to understand each of the self-care types included. Below is a breakdown of each type, along with a few examples of the kinds of activities that are specific to that type.
Emotional Self-Care
On our self-care checklist, emotional self-care is all about finding what helps you stay centered, calm, and content. The goal is not to avoid emotion but to welcome it and work with it. This type of self-care is all about increasing your emotional IQ, regulating your emotions, and processing those emotions when they come.
Emotional Self-Care Ideas for Parents
1. See a therapist.
Finding a quality therapist is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself. Being a parent is draining enough without having to carry all that baggage from your childhood around with you. Why not lighten the load with some regular therapy from a caring mental health professional? You can find your therapist by using a therapist directory like Goodtherapy.org, or Psychology Today.
2. Use a journal to express yourself.
Journaling is one of the best, and most affordable, ways to take care of your emotional health. What’s more, research has shown that if you spend time “writing about traumatic, stressful, or emotional events has been found to result in improvements in both physical and psychological health”. For more parent-specific journaling, I absolutely love this journal for moms, “I Brushed My Hair Today: A Mom Journal for Mostly Together Moms” by The 21st Century SAHM, Karen Johnson. Get it here on Amazon.
3. Spend quality time in nature and green spaces.
You can go explore on your own, but if that isn’t possible, bring the family along. The time outside will likely still rejuvenate you! A really cool way to encourage outside time is through these fabulous monthly boxes from Think Outside. Their monthly subscription boxes are full of outdoor gear and resources that will get your kids away from a screen and outside exploring nature in no time. 🙂
4. Practice mindfulness and self-soothing activities like progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and deep breathing.
There a lots of great mindfulness videos on YouTube. Check out this guided breathing meditation from Dr. Steve Silvestro, or this Meditation for Patience for Mothers & Parents from Sonima. I also highly recommend this 5 minute mindful listening video from Fablefy – The Whole Child if you’re looking for some mindfulness meditation to do with your kids.
5. Engage in creative arts activities like painting, drawing, or knitting.
Knitting is an especially amazing self-care activity. The repetition of linking loops of yarn is really soothing and meditative. Plus, when you’re done, you have a finished product! I highly recommend you check out the Knit-Wise knitting subscription from Cratejoy. Each month brings you a new and exciting knitting project.
Physical Self-Care
Physical self-care is common to most self-care checklists. This kind of self-care not only keeps you healthy, but it helps nurture that mind-body connection. People often store stress in their bodies. Regular physical self-care can help get rid of it before it does any harm.
Physical Self-Care Ideas for Parents
1. Take a walk.
Regular walks have SO many health benefits, and even a short walk can boost heart rate, mood, and mental clarity.
2. Get a full night’s sleep.
So crucial as a parent, especially if you have little ones! But sleep doesn’t always come easy when there are babies and toddlers in the house. If you are struggling in that area, there are several sleep training philosophies out there, so see what fits for you. Check out The Baby Sleep Solution by infant sleep specialist, Suzy Giordano, or The Natural Baby Sleep Solution by Polly Moore.
For even more support, I highly recommend The Peaceful Sleeper online sleep training courses – they offer courses for infants, toddlers, and eve adults! Get awesome newborn sleep in 7 simple steps!
3. Engage in a little physical labor (if you can), like home projects, gardening, or cleaning.
Start a small home remodeling project, do some cleaning, or work in the garden. The productivity will help clear your mind and make you feel good.
A clean, organized home definitely makes space for a clear head. According to research cited in this article from the Huffington Post, “the act of cleaning offers up a soothing one-two punch of mindfulness and endorphins.” To get your own cleaning endorphin boost, try one of the cleaning hacks with baking soda in this post from Home Whis.
Even though cleaning isn’t my favorite thing in the world, I do find it super energizing. It really does seem to boost my endorphins.
When I go on a cleaning spree, I like to use natural, eco-friendly cleaning products when I can. Some people complain that natural cleansers don’t do the job, but I think you just have to find the right products. I highly recommend the Method’s Lime + Sea Salt All Purpose Cleaner, Ecoboo’s Reusable Bamboo Towels, and Puracy’s All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate – they really make my home feel super clean. Click on the images below to buy them on Amazon.
4. Treat your body to something special like an at-home pedicure.
Take an evening to really give some good attention to your feet. Your feet carry you around all day, why not take care of them? I love this pedicure kit, cleverly titled Nailed It, from Barefoot Scientist. Or try one of these Shop Kits & Routines
from the Barefoot Scientist shop. Kick start your self-care routine with this awesome starter kit.
Right now you can get 15% off your Barefoot Scientist order with code CENTERED15!
5. Practice a hygiene routine that refreshes and revitalizes you (i.e. restorative skin care, aromatherapy baths).
Treat yourself to this fantastic monthly beauty box from Kinder Beauty. I love them because they only include cruelty-free makeup, skincare, hair-care and accessories, in their monthly boxes. Join Kinder Beauty’s Mailing List And Get 10% Off! Get A Free $75 Gift When You Sign Up For Our 6 Month Subscription Plan for some seriously special skin care!
Mental Self-Care
This section of the self-care checklist, mental self-care, is all about tending to your mind. Creating an inner space that fosters growth, learning, and a positive self-concept.
Mental Self-Care Ideas for Parents
1. Read books for pleasure.
There is nothing like settling into a good book. The mental break does wonders for your mental health. But if you don’t have time to sit down with your favorite new read, try audiobooks! You can listen on your commute, while you fold laundry, or during a morning jog. A lot of local libraries use audiobook apps (like Overdrive, for example) that allow you to borrow your favorites for free. Another excellent option is the monthly audiobook subscription service, Audible. With free apps, you often have to wait days, sometimes weeks, to borrow a title, but with Audible, you can start enjoying your audiobooks right away. I love my Audible subscription so much. They are are always running awesome sales you can get free credits toward audiobooks. Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks!
2. Engage in self-esteem building activities like positive self-talk, self-love exercises, and strength cultivation.
Nourishing positive elf-esteem in yourself is crucial if you hope to nourish positive self-esteem in your child. As shame researcher and vulnerability expert Brene Brown says, “You can’t give children what you don’t have yourself.” To learn more about how to achieve self-love, courage, and vulnerability as a parent, listen to The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting, by Brene Brown, only on Audible.
3. Keep healthy boundaries in relationships with friends, family, and coworkers.
For more on how to do this, check out this audiobook, Setting Boundaries Will Set You Free by master coach Nancy Levin. An amazing take on boundary-setting in relationships. And for help with boundaries specific to your own parents, I highly recommend Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by clinical psychologist Lindsay C. Gibson. Dr. Gibson helps you do the work to take care of yourself in ways your parents couldn’t.
5. Engage in brain-building activities like learning a new skill, board games/puzzles, or meditation.
Our post on the best board games for families has some excellent board game suggestions, including the best games for families with little kids, the best co-op games, and games set in space!
Spiritual Self-Care
On our self-care checklist, spiritual self-care focuses on forming a deeper connection with self, the world, and/or a spiritual entity (or entities). This form of self-care helps support your natural yearning for understanding your world and making meaning of your life.
Spiritual Self-Care for Parents
1. Spend time in solitude for prayer or meditation.
There is no end to the research that shows how beneficial solitude and meditation can be. And according to this NBC News article, the brain benefits regardless of personal faith framework.
2. Contemplate the big questions, either through thought exercise or journaling (i.e. Who am I? Why do I matter? Why are we here?)
For more on the big questions about life and our universe, I really like this book by Stephen Hawking, Brief Answers to the Big Questions.
3. Participate in a faith community like attending services, volunteering, or bible study.
Many enjoy the sense of community they get from being a member of a faith community. Attending services, participating in activities, and engaging in regular discussions about faith can be very rewarding.
4. Practice meaningful rituals like holidays or family traditions.
Implementing consistent traditions and rituals are crucial to family wellness. Many families find spiritual rituals to be helpful for bonding and support, especially during the holidays, times of loss, and times of celebration. Check out this post from Mommypotamus on the importance of family rituals, as well as some amazing family tradition ideas to get you started.
5. Spend time learning about other spiritual frameworks.
For more on this, try Michael A. Singer critically-acclaimed book The Untethered Soul, or Eckhart Tolle’s beloved book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.
Professional/Work-Life Balance Self-Care
This part of the self-care checklist deals with self-care that’s centered around your profession, productivity, and the relationship between work life and home life.
Professional self-care explores the ways in which you manage your chosen job/career (including stay at home parent), as well as how much fulfillment it brings you. Additionally, it looks at how you hold the boundary between work and home.
Professional/Work-Life Balance Self-Care for Parents
1. Seek support from coworkers/partners.
If you are having a hard time at the day job, it can be tricky to ask for help. Often, thanks to they way we are socialized (especially in the US), many parents (especially moms) have complicated belief systems around asking for help. You are taught to believe that you should be able to do it all.
However, this is a faulty way of thinking. If you work all day, take care of your children all day, and try to foster and feed your career all day, you will run out of “day” to do any one thing really well. You will spread yourself too thin, thus only half-achieving your goals.
That is why it’s so important to use your support systems. If you are a stay-at-home-mom for example, try to rethink the belief that you shouldn’t ask for respite because this is your “only” job. Everyone needs help with their day job from time to time – don’t hesitate to ask for it. Whether you seek support for help at your workplace or at home, everyone involved (including the boss) would rather you do an excellent job with help, instead of an incomplete job without it.
For more help with learning how to set boundaries and advocate for yourself personally and professionally, I highly recommend you read Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis. From the book description: “She knows that many women have been taught to define themselves in light of other people—whether as wife, mother, daughter, or employee—instead of learning how to own who they are and what they want.”
2. Taking on the right number of projects or tasks.
This one relates to home and work life balance. Be sure to set yourself up for success by learning to say ‘no’ when you need to. Some workplaces, though not always intentionally, take advantage of their best employees by giving them more work and tougher assignments. If you fall into that category, learn to set limits when presented with your next project. Explain that you are verging on burnout and need some balance in order to maintain your current workload. Most employers will work with you on this, looking to keep you happy rather than risk losing you.
3. Participating in training relevant to your field.
You can find lots of online classes for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in your field. The CDC offers continuing ed. courses for credit in certain health care professions, for example.
4. Setting and tracking professional goals.
This one is a big one. Setting goals and defining the steps toward achieving them will help you actually achieve them. Find a way to track your goals as well. I use a bullet journal for this. Even though you may think you will remember your life goals, and check in on them regularly, it is SO easy for life to knock us off track.
If you are interested in bullet journaling, I highly recommend you check out this post: What is a Bullet Journal? (And How to Start One).
You only need two simple things to get started: a sturdy journal, like this one from Minimalism Art, specifically designed for bullet journaling, and a set of decent pens. I use and love these Inkjoy Gel Pens from Paper Mate.
5. Soliciting regular feedback from a supervisor or mentor.
You know feedback is helpful, but if you’re like me, you might find yourself avoiding it, for fear of what you might hear. But without regular feedback, you will likely stunt your professional growth and development.
Vulnerability researcher Brene Brown knows a thing or two about giving and soliciting feedback. In her best-selling book Daring Greatly, Brene shares how to be courageous, vulnerable, and step into the arena of life. Get it here on Amazon.
It’s ok to say no sometimes. #selfcare pic.twitter.com/MGcCZMeiCL
— Sarah Bernstein, MD, MHA, FAAP (@sbernsteinmd) July 26, 2020
Social Self-Care
The social self-care section of our self-care checklist is all about the time you spend with others – how often, with whom, and under what circumstances. These self-care activities should recharge your batteries and leave you feeling good.
Social Self-Care for Parents
1. Volunteer in your community.
There are loads of volunteer opportunities out there. What causes are important to you? Determine where you would like to impact the most change in your community and find an organization that shares your mission. United Way is a good place to start. Use their super helpful volunteer opportunity finder to find nonprofits and agencies near you that would love to host you as a volunteer.
2. Spend time with pets/animals.
Pets are such little unconditional love machines! If you have pets, you already know how good they are for your well-being. Consider adopting a rescue animal from your local shelter or if you aren’t ready for that kind of commitment, shelters love volunteers. Get some cuddle time in by helping out your local animal shelter. The ASPCA has a shelter finder you can use to point you in the right direction. Either way, the time spent with a sweet puppy or kitten will certainly boost your mood and get you some positive social interaction.
3. Travel with loved ones to new or beloved places.
Traveling to new and familiar) places gives you and your family an opportunity to shake the dust off and experience new things together. Travel can also improve family bonding and encourage closer relationships through exciting shared experiences. Plus, the social interaction with people of cultures different from your own will broaden your understanding of the world.
But you don’t always have to go far to experience the joys of traveling abroad. Another cool way to get all the fun and educational benefits of travel (without the major expense) is through a monthly subscription box like Up & Away Adventures. There are so many cool travel-themed boxes out there, but Up & Away Adventures is my absolute favorite! I prefer Up & Away because of their attentive focus on family bonding, hands-on activities, and learning!
Each month, they send a curated, family-friendly, educational “suitcase”, packed with games and activities that incorporate the culture, cuisine, and people from countries around the world. Another thing I really love about Up & Away Adventures is their focus on sensory activities. They design their suitcases with all five sense in mind, thus making for an amazing learning experience for you and your kids. Click Here to join Up & Away Adventures today!
4. Participate in a social club (book club, bowling league, writing group, etc.).
Though it might seem counterintuitive to add more to your plate, joining a club of interest can do wonders for your health. Joining a club not only allows you the opportunity to do something you enjoy, but it gives you something to look forward to on the regular.
I am a member of a craft group, a writing group, and a volleyball league, and I have to say, these activities brighten my week even when I’m feeling stressed. I make sure not to overload my schedule and attend the groups when I am able to get child-care, but even being a member has afforded me the opportunity to connect with and form quality friendships with like-minded individuals.
Meetup.com is a great place to start. They have meet-up groups organized by topics ranging from arts and culture to fitness to gaming to book clubs.
And speaking of book clubs, did you know that Cratejoy has an AMAZING book of the month club? It’s called the Once Upon a Book Club and it’s awesome. The Book Club box comes with a surprise fiction title, individually-wrapped story-themed gifts, labeled with page numbers (only to be opened when you reach the corresponding page), plus the opportunity to join live book club discussions. SO much fun. 🙂
Cratejoy is always running promos and you can often find a good promo code for a great discount. Join the Once Upon a Book Club today.
Once Upon a Book Club
5. Spend kid-free, quality time with your close friends.
When you are a parent, the much sought after kid-free evening can seem as elusive as a unicorn, but with a little focus and some strategic planning, you can make it a reality.
Social time with other adults gives you much needed respite from the constant caretaking. Plus, it’s just fun to do something that you want to do for a change, without having to worry about whether your kids are bored or behaving.
6. Spend kid-free, quality time with your partner.
If you are in a relationship, date nights are an excellent way to stay connected to your partner. If money or childcare are barriers, you can still make the most of grown-up time. Send the kids to bed early and spend some quality time with your partner by doing a date night in. Cook a meal together and share a bottle of wine. Or maybe just do some Netflix and chill. Or, you could do something really special and let the date night come to you with a subscription box. I love the Krush Date Night Box. The highly-rated Krush Date Night Box is curated by relationship experts and you get amazing travel-themed date nights in every box. An amazing way to spend an evening with your partner. 🙂 Check it out here.
Family Self-Care
This part of the self-care checklist focuses on nurturing healthy relationships with your family members that support and sustain a happy existence – Family bonding time that is designed to fill your internal well instead of drain it.
Family Self-Care for Parents
1. Hold productive and fun family meetings.
In my work with families, I have helped countless families implement family meetings into their routine. There are lots of amazing reasons why you should, too. For one, they help you and your family stay organized. You can use family meetings to distribute chores, clarify household expectations, and make family decisions. Secondly, family meetings offer a space for problem-solving. If a certain issue keeps popping up, you can put it on the family meeting agenda and work together to come up with a workable solution. Lastly, family meetings offer your family an opportunity to spend quality time together. I always recommend families end every meeting with a fun activity (and some fun snacks where appropriate).
There are lots of ways to incorporate family meetings into your life, but I absolutely, without a doubt, recommend you do it the Positive Discipline way. In my opinion, Dr. Jane Nelsen, the founder of Positive Discipline, has perfected the family meeting. In my experience, the way she instructs parents to facilitate meetings gets the best results. Read more about family meetings in her book Positive Discipline, and also download the Family Meeting Album from the Positive Discipline shop to get the most out of your family meetings.
2. Engage in regular check-ins, or Parent Huddles, with your partner, co-parent, or supports, to stay on the same parenting page.
Whether you are a single parent, coparent, or caregiver, making parenting decisions can be incredibly stressful. Work with the parenting supports in your life to ensure you have an agreed-upon parenting plan for day-to-day decision-making, and a plan for what to do when one of you gets overwhelmed.
Kids thrive in a secure environment that provides consistent nurturing, regular routines, and clear expectations. One way to make this happen is to use Parent Huddles. If your child is misbehaving and one or both of you is unsure what to do, simply point out the behavior and explain that when things calm down, you will talk with your child about it. Then, in the meantime, you can your partner should have a Parent Huddle, discussing your options in private.
This not only allows everyone a chance to calm down, but it gives you time to decide on a parental response that fits with your household expectations. And most importantly, it allows you to present a united front, rather than one of you tossing out a consequence in the heat of the moment that the other parent vocally disagrees with.
3. Find time to play games and act silly with your kids.
Kids do a lot of learning, communicating, and bonding through play. When you make time to meet them in their “play place”, you encourage more closeness and bonding. When your kids feel securely attached and bonded to their parents and caregivers, they tend to have less behavioral struggles than kids who are not securely attached. Another bonus is that parents who have fun with their kids enjoy more compliance when it’s time to get down to business.
For fun and creative ways to be silly with your kids, check out 30 Ways to Be Silly with Your Kids from The Chaos and the Clutter. And for some new and exciting board games for family game night, read our post on the best board games for families, with loads of our favorites, including the absolute best board games for families with little kids.
4. Reach out to extended family for support as needed (while maintaining clear boundaries).
Sometimes it’s healthy to set boundaries with extended family so that you can maintain your own household the way you like. However, if you have extended family members who are willing to help you out, finding tactful and direct ways to set limits on how they can help you is a perfectly acceptable way to to do get support.
For example, if your mother is willing to watch your children, but tends to comment on the way you have things organized in your bathroom closet or the food you have in your fridge, kindly request that she keep those comments to herself the next time she babysits. It may work to say something like, “Mom, I really love when you spend time with the kids and I so appreciate the help. And it would mean a lot to me if you would avoid commenting on my house. It just ends up making me feel bad, and I don’t want to dread our visits.”
You know your extended family best. Find the words that work for you, but whatever you say, avoid blame and accusation and only speak from your own truth and experience.
5. Participate in support groups, parent-specific Facebook groups, or online communities that are just for parents.
Support groups are an amazing way to ensure you are managing your family well and getting what you need. Parenting is hard – don’t go it alone. Check out these Facebook groups for parents: Parenting Tips: Toddlers and Preschoolers, Parenting Memes, Parenting Tips, The Peaceful Parenting Journey, and Positive Parenting.
To connect with The Centered Parent community, give us a like to follow The Centered Parent Facebook page, or join the Centered Parenting Facebook Group.
Creative activities for kids, self-care tips for parents, family bonding ideas & more with the Centered Parenting Facebook Group. Join now!
Other Self-Care Ideas for Parents
This section of the self-care checklist includes several bonus self-care strategies that you may want to fold into your routine. I added them just for you 🙂 A couple of the bonus strategies are pictured above.
Reason #437 why you deserve a little #selfcare – because #parenting is hard and you’re only human. pic.twitter.com/3VxsO0Kv4R
— Hayley Gallagher, LPC (@CenteredParent) September 11, 2019
Your Own Self-Care Activities
Lastly, our checklist includes a final page of blank spaces.
You can use them to add your own tried and true self-care activities, or log new strategies that you discover along the way. In other words, the last page is yours to do with what you wish!
Wondering what to do tonight? How about hacking your happiness! #selfcare pic.twitter.com/qBnKOq3NF8
— The Men’s Room (@TheMancMensRoom) July 27, 2020
In Summary
Routine self-care supports emotional, physical, and mental health. Each facet of a well-rounded self-care regiment informs the others. For example, the more you engage in physical exercise, the better you are able to self-regulate emotion.
Additionally, if you are a parent, practicing regular self-care models this vital behavior for your kids. But the biggest reason self-care is so crucial is that it reduces stress. Keeping stress to a minimum allows you to tackle life’s challenges effectively and promote overall wellness.
The Ultimate Self-Care Checklist for Parents
Packed with more than 75 creative ways to treat yourself right, this comprehensive checklist is part assessment, part self-care plan – specifically designed with you in mind!
You’ve seen everything this checklist can do, now it’s time to get started!
Once you’ve completed the assessment and checked off the activities you want to include in your self-care regiment, all you have to do is keep this checklist handy!
Refer to it each day to remind yourself of your chosen list of activities and pick one or two (or ten) to complete when you have a few minutes.
Some items are active and require some effort, while others are passive and call for more of a mind-set shift. Either way, whatever activities you work into your self-care routine, you will be on your way to a more centered you!
Ready to get started?
Get your free copy of our self-care checklist right now and kick-start your new self-care routine today!
Before you go, I would like to thank you for taking the time to explore everything our checklist tool has to offer. You are now on your way to a better self-care plan! Please comment below to let us know what you think. We love feedback!
And don’t forget: laughter is a major self-care strategy that many parents find helpful 🙂 Want some smiles right now? This post, 25 Amazing Parenting Quotes to Make You Smile, will surely do the trick!
