THE SELF-CLEANING PARENT: IT IS RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE TIME TO RELAX

 

A good parent is a healthy parent. A healthy parent uses coping mechanisms to balance and reboot. Making time for oneself is easier once you understand the benefits it brings, not only to the parent, but also to the entire family.

Parents tend to suffer from guilt at the thought of putting themselves and their needs ahead of the family. They forget that their stress levels affect the dynamics of the entire household.

Children are very aware of their parent’s stress levels. They feel it in every attitude and every answer. They don’t understand it but they do perceive it clearly. Since children mimic and stressed people create stressing situations, behavioral problems will quickly manifest on children of stressed parents.

Understanding that a healthy mind and stress reduction betters the dynamics of the entire family should be reason enough to let go of guilt and learn to set some time aside for a good rebooting. Whether you choose to meditate, walk, jog, run or disappear in a good book and a cup of hot coco, dedicating that time to yourself without guilt is what’s important. Enjoying time alone will also build a parent’s self-esteem and self-confidence and since children mimic… confident children is what you get!