by Annabelle from Florida
As the school year continues, our days are full of pick ups/drop offs, and endless to-do lists. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the busyness of it all and forget to take care of myself as the parent!
I’ll admit, I forget breakfast more often than I should, and exercise often takes the back burner. Admittedly, I’m breaking out of a mindset that self-sacrifice equates to love for your kids. However, I’m learning that when I take better care of myself, I’m teaching my kids to do the same. What else could I want for my little ones, other than to grow up self-aware, knowing when and how to take time for themselves?
Easier said than done. I’ve found that little changes have made the most difference in our routine:
Meal prepping - especially breakfast for myself! Whole grain muffins, pancakes, cut up fruit or nuts are easy on the run. An extra batch of muffins in the freezer defrosts nicely in a pinch!
Exercise - Telling my daughters “we always take a morning walk” creates both an expectation and routine to look forward to each day. That way, my kids can hold me accountable while enjoying the fall weather.
”Protecting” quiet time. As my kids transition out of nap time, we’ve made an effort to have 45 minutes of “quiet time” in the afternoons. No electronics, no neighbors or friends - just time to be. Sometimes that means the kids are coloring and I’m finally getting around to reading a book I’ve been eyeing. Other times, the kids are doing a craft, reading or playing Barbies, while I take a minute to organize my schedule for the week or listen to a podcast.
As parent, I sometimes feel pressured to schedule activities or sports back to back for my kids’ benefit in the long run. However, it’s in those quiet moments that we truly decompress and make memories together.
This blog was written by one of our guest bloggers, Annabelle.
About Annabelle. . .
I’m a wife and a mama to three girls. I have a degree in public health and a love for learning all things nutrition. My husband jokes that I don't have any one hobby because I'm constantly trying new ways to teach my family and stay busy! A few recent favorites are yoga with the cutest human blockades (read: kids "helping"), building block towers bigger than my toddler, and teaching English as a second language.
I have big dreams of making big changes in the world. However, if anything, I know that big change happens with small choices each day. By teaching and helping my girls, I hope my little corner of the world is a little better than before.
More posts by Annabelle:
Want more ideas for self care? Check out our free lesson titled Taking Care Of You After Baby Arrives. Find it in the Pregnancy And Baby's First 6 Months category!
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