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 SELF CARE FOR PARENTS

Time to Relax

Friends Relaxing on Grass

So what does relaxation look like for a time-starved parent who has more commitments than they can meet?

Sadly, without planning, relaxation can default to the easiest. That being electronic sedation (in front of a screen) sometimes reinforced with alcohol. And this form of relaxation can take the edge off high levels of stress.

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But would you rate electronic sedation, as a form of relaxation, a 10/10?

 

Girls During Soccer Practice

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For example: On your children's sport training days you might use the available time, (while someone else is coaching them,) to read, catch up for coffee with a friend, establish new friendships with like-minded parents, go for a walk or run, meditate in your car, listen to a podcast, etc.

 

You can take turns with another responsible parent to free you up completely from this commitment, and return the favour the following week. Or, you can share the commitment with your partner, so that each of you, gets some time off occasionally. And while it's wonderful to watch your children build their skills, does your shivering on a sports field twice a week, for twenty week a year, really contribute that much to your children's well-being when you see them play as well.

 

Is it possible that you could look at areas of your life and delegate sometimes to use time saved for what you want?

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So what does 10/10 relaxation look like for you?

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Can you think of three things, you know if you did, you'd feel more relaxed after.

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It could be  sitting down and drawing, or doing a balance and stretch class, having a massage or spa, going for a walk near a beautiful place (ocean, lake, forest, park.) It can even be something as simple as uninterrupted sex, if you've got kids.

 

You know what works best for you.

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Because a perceived lack of time is often the reason self-care is put so low on the family priority list, reorganizing time may make openings that previously didn't exist.

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You and your health are worth prioritizing.

 

There are heaps of other time saving ideas on the following Best Parenting Advice links to give you more ideas:

How long is it since you lay on your back in the sun and watched puffs of cotton ball clouds float across a bright blue sky. Or went for a long walk along a pure white beach with the warmth of the sun on your back. Or did yoga, or went out for dinner and had time to savour the food?

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If you sit down to read a magazine, or a book, do you feel guilty because you have so many other things that are pressing for your attention.

 

As parents we need to be careful not to fall into the trap of being everything to everyone but ourselves. Without careful planning, one day can turn into another. And although relaxation is important, it isn't urgent, so it's easy to put it behind other things. And sometimes weeks go by and we haven't really relaxed.

​Something to consider is do your current relaxation strategies cater to your wants and needs for: freedom, variety, connection, excitement and fun? And does it bring you closer to those you love?

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Is it possible, with some minimal planning, you could be having more regular opportunities to relax

either alone, or with those you love?

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There may be more opportunities to take advantage of than you initially realize:

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Spa Pool

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And even if you can make available time, without mindful planning it may end up squandered.

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For example: Have you ever watched a movie and thought,'Well that's two hours of my life I'll never get back.' Or wandered around a busy shopping centre listening to mindless music and other people's screaming-children, looking at things you can't afford to buy. This can result in you feeling more stressed when you leave, than when you entered.

 

Whereas with some basic planning you could have used your time to do nothing but relax.

Reading with Coffee
Flower

'Relaxation is the art of letting go.'

Dan Brule

Best Parenting Advice.com is a high quality parenting website designed with child and family success in mind. It highlights what successful parents do differently to those who struggle. Best Parenting advice.com provides free online resources for busy parents who want the best practical advice on: how to give kids a best start in life, better tips for parenting toddlers, effective child rearing strategies, behaviour management tips, successful goal setting and organizational strategies for successful families, easy family dinner recipes, self-care tips for time-poor parents and free kids learning games. The aim of Best Parenting Advice.com is to provide quality practical parenting tips and advice to best help children and families succeed, using the convenience of a website.

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This website provides examples of what worked for me over decades and you are welcome to use these ideas as you see fit but you do so at your own risk. Best Parenting Advice.com does not provide any guarantee that this information will work in every circumstance with every family or with every child. It is your responsibility as a user of this website to ensure that you adhere to any recommended safety suggestions either implicit or explicit on this site and supervise your children while playing any games suggested. Similarly users of this website are advised to follow any recommendations for seeking professional advice as all information on this site is generic. Best Parenting Advice.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any other groups, clubs, religious organizations or educational systems.

 

Best parenting takes time. The best parenting advice ever is simple: Do your best, don't give up and love your children, no matter what.

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