Fern Michonski / Fern’s Music
Pre-School Music Education Expert: The Children’s Advocate for Love and Kindness, Inspiring Creativity and Joy.
February 20, 2013—Taking care of You! 
Anyone who is a parent knows what a difficult job it is. Yes, it is full of joy and happiness, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a 24/7 job that can be exhausting and frustrating at times. Every parent in the world occasionally needs a break to refresh and regroup. Taking time out for yourself will help you be a better parent, so don’t ever feel guilty about saving time for rest and relaxation. Find an hour to be alone, either while the kids are in school or if you need to hire a babysitter. Then try some of these suggestions for pampering yourself and refueling your soul.
- Pull down the shades, light a candle, pour yourself a nice, hot bath, turn on some peaceful music and soak in the tub. This is my favorite peaceful, rejuvenating time. Close your eyes and let the music, warm water and beautiful candle scent take you away from all your cares.
- Go to the library and take out a good book. Make yourself a hot cup of tea and settle down for a good, uninterrupted read. (It’s hard to find time to sit quietly and read with the kids around. My son once found me reading in a quiet spot and said, “Mom! You read?” That shows how infrequently I found time to do this.) Make the time. Books can carry you to the ends of the earth, far from your current cares and demands.
- Talk a walk. Going outside for a peaceful walk in nature is totally soothing. Leave your cell phone behind, or at least put it on vibrate so you can enjoy the silence and listen for the sounds of nature. A brisk walk can change a mood and a beautiful sunrise or sunset will remain in your memory forever.
- If you have the cash, book yourself a massage. It always amazes me how much better I feel after taking one hour to relax my muscles. Feelings of peace and calm take over and remain with me for the rest of the day.
- Call a friend and chat. If something is bothering you and you are just not sure what to do next, a good chat with a friend can help resolve the issue. Just sharing thoughts and feelings, knowing someone is really listening to you helps to put things into the proper prospective. Ideas start to flow and by the end of the conversation you will feel better, just knowing somebody cared to listen.
- Find a hobby. Think about what you like to do or make. Start a project and work on it a little bit each day. It will take your mind off of other things and once you complete your project you will have a great sense of accomplishment.
All of these things are simple, but they are critically important to good health and a happy heart. A relaxed parent is a good parent. We all need to take care of ourselves. Make the time. You will be glad you did and so will your kids.