CCW: Parenting Tips>>Take Care of Yourself




	Don't neglect yourself. Taking care of yourself and your needs allows you to take better care of your child. The importance of taking care of yourself cannot be overestimated! Taking care of yourself will help you meet the challenges that come with being a parent. Babies require constant attention, affection, and lots of energy, and this can be stressful and exhausting. Children, even babies, are quick to pick up on their parents' moods. If you are happy, chances are your child will feel more relaxed and secure. If you are tense, your child may feel anxious. Your child thrives when he feels safe and is surrounded by a predictable and loving environment. Forming a strong and trusting relationship with you helps him learn and explore. If you are unable to take care of your own needs, this relationship will suffer, and it could hinder your child's development. Developmental milestones Taking care of your new baby requires a lot of energy! Since your baby will not have a feeding or sleeping schedule for the first several months, try to take advantage of your baby's sleeping and quiet time to take a nap or have some "down time" yourself. Most babies have a regular fussy period each day-often in the evening when you are feeling tired, too. Try to prepare for this by taking some time in the afternoon to nap, eat a good meal, and relax. Consistent routines help reduce stress, for both you and your baby. Creating a schedule for your day also helps you get things done and stay organized. Your child will eventually get used to sleeping, feeding, and changing routines, and familiarity with the routine helps him feel safe. While most babies will quiet down after an hour or two of fussing, about one fifth of all babies have colic, which causes them to cry or scream for hours, and frequently nothing seems to calm them. Talk to your doctor about ways to soothe your child, and make sure you take breaks from caring for your baby. Getting away from your baby's cries regularly will help you be more attentive to them when you return. Your infant cannot understand emotions yet. If you lose your temper or raise your voice, he will feel confused and unhappy, but he won't know why. If caring for your infant is making you stressed, talk to your partner, a friend, family member, or someone you trust about helping you take some time for yourself. NEVER hit or shake your baby. Your baby's muscles, especially around the head and neck, are still developing. Bouncing your child gently is fine, but rough movements can tear your child's developing muscles and can cause severe brain damage or even death. Taking time to relax and taking breaks from caring for your child will help you react more calmly when you are frustrated. Returning to work when you have a baby can be stressful. Knowing that your child is in good hands while you are away can help lower the stress. Talk to friends, other parents, and people in the community about child care options. Make sure you feel comfortable with the facility or setting you choose. For more information on choosing child care, see Safe Away from Home. Simple ways to take care of yourself: 1. Take care of your physical needs. Make sure you take the time to eat healthy, fulfilling meals. Your body needs energy and nutrients to fuel everything you do. Exercise. Whether it's going for a walk or run, doing jumping jacks, riding a stationary bicycle, or taking a yoga class, moving your body, breathing deeply, and increasing your heart rate do wonders for decreasing stress and improving attitude. They also improve overall physical health, which decreases illness and increases energy levels. Sleep. While your child may wake often and will need to be cared for, sleep as much as possible and whenever you can. Getting enough sleep plays an important role in a person's ability to deal with daily life. 2. Take care of your emotional needs. If you are feeling stressed or angry, it helps to have someone to turn to. Talk to your partner, friends, family members, or a religious mentor or counselor. Ask for support if you need it. Raising a child is hard work, but you do not have to do it alone. Many community organizations offer parenting classes and support groups. By meeting other parents you may be able to take turns watching each other's children so that you can take some time off. Remember that you are a person as well as a parent. Make an effort to see your friends, get out of the house, and enjoy yourself. This will help you return home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 3. Every once in a while, pamper yourself. Whether it's taking a bath, listening to your music, or going out with friends, nourishing your own needs is important. Feeling happy and relaxed helps you take better care of your child. For more information, see Preventing Child Abuse, Safe Away from Home, and Developmental Milestones. <<back to infant parenting tips menu Don't neglect yourself. Toddlers require lots of energy and lots of patience. They are becoming independent and starting to think on their own, which can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. You are a role model for your child, who is quick to copy your behavior. If you are quick to lose your temper, your child will do the same. But if your child sees you stopping to relax and take care of your own needs, he will learn to do the same. This is important for building his sense of worth and self-esteem. Take care of yourself so that you can shower your child with the attention and affection he deserves. Not only will this strengthen the bond between you, but also it will help him learn and interact appropriately with the world around him. Developmental milestones Routines help reduce stress, for both you and your child. Routines help your child know what to expect and how to behave. Start bedtime, morning, and eating routines early on and stick to them, and these times will be less stressful. Creating a consistent schedule will also help you stay organized. Your toddler may sleep 10-12 hours a night and take short afternoon naps. This is a wonderful time for you to take some time for yourself to sleep, eat a good meal, exercise, or relax. Toddlers can be aggressive, possessive, and easily frustrated. Temper tantrums can be frequent, but they are a normal part of child development. Your child does not know yet the words to explain his emotions. Plan ahead for these situations by knowing when your toddler gets tired and cranky and preparing for it, bringing a toy for your child to play with when you run errands, having snack food on hand for when he gets hungry, and making shopping lists so that trips to the store are quick and you do not get sidetracked. If you are snapping at your child for something that is developmentally normal, such as a potty-training accident, you probably need a break. Your child can sense if you are agitated, and it will make him tense and less likely to be able to learn something new, like how to use the toilet. Your child imitates everything you do. If you yell a lot, so will your child. Taking care of yourself will help you keep your emotions in check, and you have an easier time modeling good behavior for your child. When children complain frequently of stomachaches, headaches, or other vague symptoms, it often relates to living in a stressful home environment. Substance abuse, marital problems, work stress, family eating habits, and depression can all have carryover effects on children's health and well-being. During periods of high stress, take some time to relax with your child. Read a book together, play a game together, or go for a walk. This will help your child understand that he is loved and valued, and it will help reduce stress for both of you. Simple ways to take care of yourself: 1. Take care of your physical needs. Make sure you take the time to eat healthy, fulfilling meals. Your body needs energy and nutrients to fuel everything you do. Exercise. Whether it's going for a walk or run, doing jumping jacks, riding a stationary bicycle, or taking a yoga class, moving your body, breathing deeply, and increasing your heart rate do wonders for decreasing stress and improving attitude. They also improve overall physical health, which decreases illness and increases energy levels. Sleep. While your child may wake often and will need to be cared for, sleep as much as possible and whenever you can. Getting enough sleep plays an important role in a person's ability to deal with daily life. 2. Take care of your emotional needs. If you are feeling stressed or angry, it helps to have someone to turn to. Talk to your partner, friends, family members, or a religious mentor or counselor. Ask for support if you need it. Raising a child is hard work, but you do not have to do it alone. Many community organizations offer parenting classes and support groups. By meeting other parents you may be able to take turns watching each other's children so that you can take some time off. Remember that you are a person as well as a parent. Make an effort to see your friends, get out of the house, and enjoy yourself. This will help you return home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 3. Every once in a while, pamper yourself. Whether it's taking a bath, listening to music, or going out with friends, nourishing your own needs is important. Feeling happy and relaxed helps you take better care of your child. For more information, see Preventing Child Abuse, Safe Away from Home, Building Empathy and Sympathy, and Developmental Milestones. <<back to 2 to 3 years of age parenting tips menu Don't neglect yourself. You are a role model for your child. How you deal with stress and emotions teaches your child how to behave. How you take care of yourself sends him a message about self-worth. Pay attention to your physical health, including enough sleep, nutritious food, and physical exercise. When you are stressed out or exhausted, it is more difficult to interact with your child in ways that create a nurturing environment where he can learn, grow, and develop. This is normal and no parent is perfect. But if you find you are frequently reacting irritably to what you know is normal behavior, or if you are constantly too tired to play with or read to your child, then maybe you are not taking care of yourself and your own needs. Children are quick to pick up on parents' moods. If you are happy, chances are your child will feel more relaxed and secure. If you are tense, your child may feel anxious. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. Instead, taking care of yourself is an important part of parenting because it allows you to shower your child with the love and attention he deserves. Developmental Milestones Routines can make stressful times, like bedtime and bath time, easier for both you and your child. Reading to your child before bed is a great way to wind down after a long day, and it can be a relaxing experience for both of you. Making this routine will tell your child that it's time to settle down and sleep. Be consistent. Routines will also help you stay organized. Reading to your child, playing with him, and taking time to interact with your child and talk to him about his day is extremely important to promote your child's development and to form a strong attachment between the two of you. Taking time for yourself will help you have more fun when you are with your child. Your child may be starting preschool. Talk to the teachers and to other parents whose children are there about your concerns and expectations. Make sure that both you and your child feel comfortable with the preschool or child care facility. Knowing that your child is in good hands will make the experience easier for both you and your child. Simple ways to take care of yourself: 1. Take care of your physical needs. Make sure you take the time to eat healthy, fulfilling meals. Your body needs energy and nutrients to fuel everything you do. Exercise. Whether it's going for a walk or run, doing jumping jacks, riding a stationary bicycle, or taking a yoga class, moving your body, breathing deeply, and increasing your heart rate do wonders for decreasing stress and improving attitude. They also improve overall physical health, which decreases illness and increases energy levels. Sleep. While your child may wake often and will need to be cared for, sleep as much as possible and whenever you can. Getting enough sleep plays an important role in a person's ability to deal with daily life. 2. Take care of your emotional needs. If you are feeling stressed or angry, it helps to have someone to turn to. Talk to your partner, friends, family members, or a religious mentor or counselor. Ask for support if you need it. Raising a child is hard work, but you do not have to do it alone. Many community organizations offer parenting classes and support groups. By meeting other parents you may be able to take turns watching each other's children so that you can take some time off. Remember that you are a person as well as a parent. Make an effort to see your friends, get out of the house, and enjoy yourself. This will help you return home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 3. Every once in a while, pamper yourself. Whether it's taking a bath, listening to music, or going out with friends, nourishing your own needs is important. Feeling happy and relaxed helps you take better care of your child. For more information, see Preventing Child Abuse, Safe Away from Home, Building Empathy and Sympathy, and Developmental Milestones. <<back to 4 to 5 years of age parenting tips menu