- Start up or amp-up your self-care
You can’t be emotionally generous when you’re at your limit. Plus, you’re a human being and you deserve something for you. Learning self-compassion can help you in many ways as a parent and particularly in helping you find time for and choosing a self-care routine.
- Find a support buddy
The village is a thing, y’all!
Another one of those “didn’t realise what I was missing” concepts is getting your-self a good support system. A friend who gets it and will let you speak freely and openly and vice versa.
Isolation makes parenting so much harder and we really weren’t designed to raise children under such circumstances. One of the benefits of the modern age is that there are groups for most people these days.
Isolation makes parenting so much harder and we really weren’t designed to raise children under such circumstances. One of the benefits of the modern age is that there are groups for most people these days. The Mother Tribe Community is a great example of a supportive and nurturing space for mothers to find their village.
- Start up or amp-up Special Time
Special Time is always my first recommendation with any child-related struggles but it’s also great for prevention too.
Fitting daily special time in your day fills your children’s cups but since Special Time is full of intensive connection, eye-gazing and delighting it’s also a wonderful reminder of how special your little person is.
- Learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness
You’re human, they’re human and we all lose control and make mistakes. The best modelling a parent can do is to apologise. I don’t believe in making children apologise as it is more likely to teach you the opposite of what you intend. If your child witnesses you making “repairs” with other adults, their siblings and themselves, they will start doing the same.
You are good, you are wise, you’ve got this!
Originally published on Mother Tribe – a directory of services dedicated to helping Mothers find their village of support. Chantal Harrison is the author of Aunty Ask. She describes herself as a Mum, writer, singer and Zumba teacher helping parents to bring more peace to their homes whilst sharing her own raw and real journey.
