Important of take care of parents?
Answers
When you become a parent, it’s easy to forget you have needs, too. Understandably for most people, the second that first child is born, priorities change. Anything that seemed important before now takes a backseat to the love and support needed by this tiny, precious life you have just brought into the world.
As much as that is true for me, I have always tried to remember the importance of my personal happiness.
I was a single mother from early on so I realized quickly that if I didn’t take care of myself, it would be easy to become burned out and, subsequently, a less effective parent. For that reason, as long as my children were well taken care of, I didn’t see any issue finding room in my budget to get my hair done or to go on a shopping trip for myself.
I also knew the importance of spending adult time away from my children. I don’t mean for days on end, but rather a night out on the weekends. In my children’s early years, I wasn’t afraid to find a trusted babysitter so I could spend some time with my friends. Doing so allowed me to regroup and let off some steam.
But as my children have gotten older, I seem to have regressed. I don’t feel as inclined to intentionally make time for myself. In fact, I often have so much time – since they're more self-sufficient, not to mention busy teenagers – that I feel guilty if I’m not using it productively. Now, rather than find something to do that I enjoy, I am more likely to use my free time for family business. I run to the grocery store, do something productive around the house or just generally relax. And truthfully that last one seems to be because I never know when someone might need me to do something or take them somewhere.
What I didn’t realize is that by dedicating so much of my free time to family activities, I was leaving little to no room for my interests and hobbies – and my personal health and well-being started taking a beating because of it. It finally got to a point where I no longer had any and I struggled to find anything that gave me joy.
That's changed recently.
I met up with some old friends for a baby shower and spent an afternoon chatting and just catching up. It had been so long since I felt so fulfilled that I yearned for more time like that. Fortunately, one of the gals had also missed what our friendships brought her and suggested meeting up more often. We couldn't agree fast enough.
It’s my belief that when a child is born, a parent’s life shouldn’t end. Instead, it should change. Your life isn't less important because you have a child. In fact, that's even more of a reason to take good care of yourself. So take that class, start that hobby and catch up with old friends. The best way to take care of your family is to start by taking care of you.
Your family deserves your best and so do you.