YOU are Worth it!
by Mary Funari
Mother’s Day has come and gone. And now, American Greetings, Hallmark and countless other advertisers are reminding us that Father’s Day is right around the corner. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for celebrating parents, especially as we slowly emerge from the last fourteen months of home-schooling, forced togetherness, uncertainty, and, for so many, grief. My point is one day filled with extra love and appreciation is NOT ENOUGH to replenish the moms and dads who work tirelessly the other 364 days a year.
I’m a BIG advocate of self-care as a go-to-strategy when parents come to me feeling out of sorts and thinking there’s something wrong with their approach and/or their child’s behavior. Why? Slowing down and doing something that replenishes your energy is effective. When you are operating with a full tank, you can take a broader perspective, tap into your inner knowing, and formulate a plan. I invite you to test it out and see if you agree.
Parents also need to incorporate self-care into their daily lives to function at their best. This statement is usually met with resistance. I’m familiar with the common objections. But, I need to take care of my kids, household chores, work deadlines, family commitments, etc. Or, I don’t have time! Over the years, I’ve come to interpret these objections differently. I hear: My well being is not a priority, or even, I am not worth the time. Ouch! The fact is that no one else is going to take care of YOU, especially when it’s not Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
It’s critical to rethink your priorities when it comes to your personal well-being. My book, Real-Time Parenting: Choose Your Action Steps for the Present Moment, provides examples of how to build micro-moments of self-care into your daily life. From positive self-talk to strategies for handling stressful situations, there are great resources inside the book. Order your copy at your local bookstore today.
It can also help to talk to other parents for inspiration and get some professional coaching if you are feeling stuck. I invite you to join me and my co-authors on our Facebook group for practical tips and support here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4044693118941078/.
I hope you can see that self-care is the opposite of selfish, and essential for parenting well. Make an investment in yourself this week by putting yourself on the calendar. Even a fifteen or thirty minute block doing something you enjoy can make a big difference in your mood and energy level. You are worth it!
Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography
Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, and high school seniors in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona
