You are only as happy as your saddest child ….

So many kids are struggling, even more so now with the pandemic — the anxiety around what the fall will look like, let alone what the world feels like for them. It is all changing so rapidly, and it can be scary. 

As parents, we worry for our children, but we also need support and guidance to keep ourselves going. It is important for parents to remember to put their oxygen masks on first. 

I recently said to a friend, “I can’t be overtired or stressed right now.” I need to be solid, clear and grounded and 10 steps ahead, in order to best support my kids. I couldn’t do that without my own support. 

Self-care doesn’t always come naturally to mothers, as we are raised to be caregivers. Sometimes it takes a lot for me to prioritize my care without feeling guilty or selfish; I can talk myself out of needing the massage, therapy, acupuncture, etc.  I know that when I go and come home, though, I am a better parent. 

Figure out who that is for you: therapist, parent coach, someone besides a good friend. Make sure it’s someone that can be objective and non-judgmental, because it is so important to have your own support. 

People — especially women — tend to think that self-care is selfish. It isn’t; it’s healthcare.