Parenting 0-5: Parents Need Care Too

Alpine First 5 hosted an 8 week parenting series, using Active Parenting curriculum presented by Carol Ledesma of Choices for Children, for parents of children 0-5 years old. This is the second post in the blog series "Parenting 0-5 years" allowing us to share some of the information presented in the sessions with those unable to attend.

Session 8: Parents Need Care Too
Parents need to be able to keep themselves self-regulated in order to be effective at guiding their children. An important part of maintaining self-regulation involves giving yourself the care you need as a person. 

Areas of Self Care

• Healthy body
• Healthy mind
• Relationships/Friendships/Conversation
• Organization

Take a quick inventory to see if you are meeting your self care needs for each of these areas. 
If you are working full time, a single parent, parent of a child with a special need or have other commitments that require a great deal of time and energy you may need to be creative about how to find the time and tools to take care of yourself. It is important to keep in mind that caring for yourself is as high a priority as your other commitments. When you take care of yourself you are in the best position to help take care of others.

Also be forgiving to yourself, your children and your parenting partner when mistakes are made.

Provide yourself the encouragement you need by

• Noticing what you do well
• Acknowledge what you are doing to make positive change
• Take time to have fun (with and without your children) everyday
• Keep your self-talk positive

When you can encourage yourself you can do the same for your children and others in your life.

Take care :)