It’s 2015! New beginnings bring new goals, commitments and resolutions.
As a parent, you may have decided this is going to be the year to end the madness; to stop the yelling, end the nagging and make lecturing a thing of the past. Or perhaps you have made the promise to spend more time with your children (and less time on your devices). Maybe you have committed to making more home cooked meals and to gather around the family dinner table more often. Your goal might even be to create new family traditions.
Whatever your goal, if you have a parenting resolution, FANTASTIC! Let this be the year for your family. There is no better feeling than connecting, laughing and simply being a part of each other’s lives. And if you are at all doubtful, I am here to tell you….YES! You CAN accomplish your goals. There is just one very important resolution, a gift to yourself, you must first make-
Goal #1- “I Will Make the Time to Take Care of ME”!
Parents are notorious for taking care of everyone and everything other than themselves. How can you keep on giving if you simply have no more to give? It’s like the airplane rule: In case of an emergency, place the mask over your face before you tend to others.
So……
What energizes you?
What brings you calm and peace?
What fills your “cup”?
Today, right this very moment, commit to feeding your heart and soul. All you need is 10 minutes each day to feel more energized; to feel more peace; to have more to give. If you have more than 10 minutes to give to yourself, WOOHOO! (I am a realist so there will be days you are not able to even take 10 minutes and that’s ok. Just try your best and recognize when having “me time” is non-negotiable. J)
***Once a week try to schedule a longer stretch for your “me time.”***
Let’s get started!
- Name (at minimum) 5 “me times” that fill you up.
To kick start your thinking, here are some ideas that other parents have shared with me:
Exercising, talking to friends, reading, meditation, bubble baths, sipping hot tea, organizing (hey, things are getting done), watching mindless tv, painting, journaling, date nights with friends, date nights with spouse.
- Choose one “me time” from your list to begin with. “I will _________________!”
- Identify the barriers to your “me time”. What could prevent you from committing to “me time”? (Are you one of your barriers?)
Don’t stop here!
List ways to knock those barriers down. How can you ensure you are able to get your “me time”? (one hint: put your support network in place)
- Decide when your “me time” will be. “I will __________________ on, after, before, during”
- Give yourself permission each day to have “me time”. You will be a great model for your children on the importance of taking time for oneself. Let your children know what you are doing and ask for their support. You will be surprised at how empowered they will feel by helping you and being a valued member to helping to create a happy family. (They may even tell you to take “me time”!)
Your family, including yourself, will appreciate how much more energy or peace you will be able to bring to them. Remember, the energy you bring into your home and into your relationships will determine the energy that your children and others will bring as well.
Remember, an empty cup will only empty cups and a full cup will fill cups.
Good luck! Being good to yourself is being GREAT to your children!
Have you laughed with your kids today?
Sharon Egan MS, CPC 2014