SB PARENTING
Take Time
to Recharge
BY URSULA BRANTLEY
T
o be the capable adults life requires us to be, it is vital that everyone takes regular personal time to rest, relax, and regroup. This personal time, or “me” time, allows the mind and body to get a break from the demands of everyday life. Taking time to do something we enjoy or to just do nothing at all is a form of self-care and self-love.
For parents, this valuable alone time is often pushed aside or sacrificed to fulfill the needs of the family. In an article published by the New York Post, a study showed that parents have less than an hour every day to themselves and many parents must hide from their kids just to get that breather. Being an adult is challenging, and when you add raising a family to that equation, any strong man or woman can breakdown or burnout when they aren’t given the opportunity to recharge. Often, parents feel guilty for admitting that they need time to themselves, but there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty or ashamed. In fact, practicing self-care is one of the greatest acts of love and devotion that any parent
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can give to their families. It shows that you are aware that your mind and body need the proper maintenance so that you can be the best parent that you can be. Children don’t just need parents; they need healthy parents who are mentally and emotionally available. Personal time helps us be effective parents, spouses, and humans. It allows us to detach and gather ourselves so that we can keep pressing forward.
