With the kids back in school, now is the perfect time to work on you
Written by Linsy Hunsaker | Healthy Magazine
You might be overjoyed to have the kids back in school. No more muddy footprints. The TV all to yourself. But you might also feel a bit gloomy. It’s normal. Deanna Pledge, a family and child psychologist, says that you might need to work “very consciously to reinvent [yourself] without that child at the center of [your] universe.” So here are some tips to help.
1. Pamper Yourself
You probably have errands, laundry, dishes, and dinner to get done, but start them off with a little self-care. The kids aren’t home. So watch your favorite television show, paint your toenails, and break out the secret chocolate cabinet. Or just revel in the quiet.
2. Get Creative
You were probably so busy over the summer supporting sports, swimming, and vacations that you didn’t have time for your own interests. But now you do. So find a yoga class, join a book club, or learn an instrument. Of course, you still have lots to get done. But you can squeeze in an hour for yourself.
3. Forgive Yourself
You may have expected the new school year to signal conquering that laundry pile, organizing those papers, and painting the bathroom, but cut yourself a break. If you’re sad, cry a little. If you’re unmotivated, find something fun to do. And if you’re just fed up, make your kids help with dinner. They’ll need the skill for college.
4. Get Involved
If you’re having a really hard time, you can always just go to school with your kid. “There are lots of opportunities for parents to be involved in the school,” Pledge told MSNBC. “It’s also nice for the child. It gives them a sense of being special.” So get involved. It’s psychologist approved.
5. Plan for Yourself
Your week may be full of driving kids to and from school and their friends, but you need people too. So find a group of friends. Whether that means a softball league or drinks on Friday night, you deserve your own extracurricular activities. Just remember to clean the SpaghettiOs from your shirt.
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