A lazy Sunday morning watching movies in bed with our pajamas on. Ignoring the laundry and playing with my baby instead. Making s’mores in the dark by the fire pit in our backyard. Skipping dinner and going directly to hot fudge sundaes at Dairy Queen. Baking cookies while eating chocolate chips right out of the bag. Ordering pizza, dressing in team colours and cheering on a baseball game. Spending a sunny afternoon digging in the sand at the beach.
Sometimes, self-care means letting go of the rigid rules and expectations we burden ourselves with.
It can mean prioritising your life in a way that allows for more down time to just soak in some happy, relaxed moments with your children.
So, sure – have that coffee with friends, and go for a jog. Those are very important ways to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your family. But also remember that those special happy moments with your children can most definitely be one of the best forms of self-care.
Elizabeth Pantley is a mother of four, grandmother, and author of the bestselling book, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, plus 8 other books in the No-Cry Solution Series which helps mums and dads through all key stages of parenting. Visit her on her website, blog, Instagram or Pinterest.
