In a survey of a thousand families, Ellen Galinsky, the head of the Families and Work Institute, asked children, “If you were granted one wish about your parents, what would it be?” Most parents thought their kids would say spending more time with them, but they were wrong. The kids’ number one wish was that their parents were less tired and less stressed. –Becoming Minimalist
It’s so true…we think our kids simply need our presence in their lives. But they need us to BE present! If we are physically around but we are stressed, anxious, depressed, or angry we are not serving them well. We can not take care of their needs if we are not taking care of our own.
I think that’s why “self-care” has become such a popular topic recently. People often use the example that you have to put on your own oxygen mask if the plane is going down before helping your kid put on their oxygen mask.
One change I am making in my own life to help myself be a better person so that I can be a better parent to my kids: waking up earlier than them so that I can first take care of some of my own needs.
My routine: exercise, shower, devotional, breakfast. I have noticed a HUGE positive effect of this change on my attitude, how I greet my children in the morning, as well as the trajectory of my entire day. I’m able to handle all the needs, meltdowns and unexpected things that pop up much better if I first take care of my mind, body and spirit. I am a much more calm person and don’t lash out at my kids, or my husband, as much.
I would love to hear what you do to be less tired and stressed as a parent!!
Please tell me below!
I get that. It’s definitely something I need to work on. But it’s a good reminder to take care of myself. So I can be a better mom to my kids.
You are already a great mom 🙂 but taking care of yourself will only help you be an even better mom. <3
I love this so much! The word / theme I’ve chosen for this next year is "simplify." I so often find myself stressed and frustrated, and see those same responses in my children (I think as a response to my own stress!) Self-care is so important!
Kids definitely pick up on our stress and our behaviors and mimic them. Simplifying in order to lessen the stress has helped me in the past 2 years for sure.
This blog post speaks to me in so many ways. This is exactly what I have been feeling this past year and one of the many things that I need to change in the upcoming year. It’s so hard to take the time for myself, but I am realizing how much better I am as a wife, mom, and friend when I do.
I’m glad it hard so much value for you! I’m sure you’ll find the benefits to be so great when you take the time and make the changes! I’ve been waking up before my family in the morning so that I have self care the first thing, because if I don’t do it then it will never happen. And honestly it has changed everything for me! I’m much more calm and patient and a better person to be around. I’m curious what changes you will make for your own self care!?
I love love love this! I think just about every parent can relate. Soo good Danica
This is such an important post!! Thank you for sharing and its something I’ve always felt strongly about with my family. I work hard but then I shut everything down and forget about it when I’m with my family. It allows for a much better time together for sure. And I too wake up WAY before anyone else so I can get a ton done.
Yes yes yes! So glad you can relate. I admit, I have a hard time shutting down and forgetting about it. My mind is entrepreneurial through and through. How do you shut it down?
I definitely need to practice something in the morning. I’ve been debating waking early for my workout. We shall see if it works. I’m not a morning person
Yes! Do it! I’m not a morning person but it makes such a difference now that I have to do it!
This is so true! When my kids were young I lived by that rule, always up before them so I could find some patience in my coffee haha! They are older now and we are all such a good team most of the time BUT then we went and got a puppy. Haha! Back to square one!
Hahahaha puppies sure throw things off 😉 Back to that morning cup of joe!
Oh I love this and your pictures are the perfect compliment to your message. I need to take your advice!
Wow this is SOOO true. One hour of presence is better than 10 hours distracted & stressed! Such a powerful survey and absolutely love these family lifestyle photos!
Happy parents = happy kids! I love this post and I love the photos!