In a plane, when an oxygen mask drops from the cabin ceiling the instructions are clear: put on your own mask first, before helping others.
Why?
Because to be able to take care of others, you have to take care of yourself first. It’s the same in everyday life: it’s hard to be present for our family when we’re feeling stressed, exhausted, or disconnected. Taking care of ourselves helps us regulate our emotions, which in turn helps us play our role as a parent more effectively. It’s not selfish—it’s essential!
Giving myself time to adapt
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. It’s normal to go through periods of doubt! But over time, we find our footing and learn.
Adapting takes time, and it’s important to give ourselves that time!
Each child (and parent) is different, and every new stage brings its own challenges. Perfection? Forget it! Instead, let’s treat ourselves to a healthy dose of compassion. Let’s talk to ourselves the way we would talk to someone we love: with understanding, openness, and gentleness.
Taking the time to pause, breathe, and embrace our emotions isn’t wasted time—those are precious moments! By taking care of ourselves, we nurture our well-being and that of the whole family.
Improving my lifestyle habits
Whether it’s discovering relaxation techniques, taking deep breaths, getting active outdoors, adding more veggies to meals, drinking less alcohol, turning off screens 30 minutes before bed for better sleep, or taking a reading break—everyone has to find their own small, accessible, healthy gestures that do them good.
Taking care of yourself means looking after both your body and mind. The goal is to improve your lifestyle habits, not to completely change them!
Start with small, realistic goals that fit your schedule. Choose what makes sense to you and what’s enjoyable—because enjoyment is a powerful driver of change.
Winning habits for the whole family
Balanced lifestyle habits not only help us feel better but also allow us to enjoy family moments more fully. Plus, they set a positive example for our children. It’s a win-win!
Making myself a priority
Being a parent is demanding… but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice everything for the sake of your family. Between daily tasks, work responsibilities, and family activities, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself.
Take the time to reconnect with yourself: what were your hobbies before becoming a parent? Your interests? Your desires? It’s one of the keys to staying balanced and thriving as a parent.
Doing things that bring you joy is important. You should make some time for them… without feeling guilty! Whether it’s sports, spending time with friends, music, crafts, or gardening, it doesn’t matter—these moments are just for you.
Surrounding myself with support
Taking care of yourself also means nurturing your relationships. Isolation and loneliness can feel heavy. We all need caring connections, whether with friends, extended family, or other parents. These moments of connection can really lift our spirits! It feels good to realize that we’re part of a community.
If you’re in a couple, regular communication with your partner builds trust. It’s an opportunity to share thoughts, support each other, divide tasks, and make decisions together for greater consistency with the kids. But it’s important to stay open to other points of view and ways of doing things!
In cases of separation, it’s best to maintain harmonious relationships when possible. Good collaboration with the other parent (and sometimes, with the in-laws!) allows for mutual support during important moments. This solidarity makes all the difference in the well-being of the children and the whole family.
“Short exercise breaks are a breath of fresh air during the week…”
“For me, being active has become really important since becoming a parent. It can be a brisk walk with the little one in the stroller, a yoga session in the living room, or even dancing with the kids in the kitchen. It’s not always easy to motivate myself, especially when I’m tired or busy, but it feels so good! Not only does it boost my energy, but it also helps me manage my stress. And when I go for a walk with other parents in the neighbourhood, it becomes a super enjoyable social moment.”
Read on
My experience
Being a parent means experiencing a whole range of emotions: joy, doubt, pride, stress, and more. And that’s completely normal!
Recognizing and understanding what we feel shapes how we act and helps us face the challenges of parenting including managing discipline and screens.
Ready to get started… pressure-free?