Asked & Answered: Self-Care

All responses taken from our Facebook groups: Foster Parenting Toolbox and Kinship Parenting Group.

For many parents, personal mental health and self-care can become deprioritized in the busyness of raising children. We asked current foster, kinship and adoptive parents what they do to take care of their mental health. Here’s what they shared:

“I see a therapist monthly. I schedule breaks from the children, some with my partner and some solo. Repeating that my child ishaving a hard time, not giving me a hard timehelps too.”

“I talk to a counselor every two weeks.”

“Summers are hard, especially as a single parent. Luckily, my parents live nearby but I hate asking them all the time and due to ‘behaviors’ it’s not always ideal. Many nights I will send him to bed ‘early’ and tell him he can read as long as he wants (he’s usually asleep by 9). I then use that time to do something mindless (color, watch TV, take a long shower, do a LEGO set, etc.).”

“I swim every morning at the local YMCA and journal over my early morning coffee with my Bible devotions.”

“Honestly, I struggle with this. I am not great at self-care in general but I started therapy in 2020 due to depression and anxiety. I am starting to feel back to my normal self but it’s been a journey.”

“I have some non-negotiable things I do every week. The biggest are workout groups that I rarely miss. I definitely prioritize making time for me so I don’t burn out!”

“I stay up late after the kids are in bed to have time to myself. And if I wake up early and I’m not too tired, I have that time to myself till the kids wake up.”

“I crochet. Self-taught on YouTube.”

“I watch acrylic paintings on YouTube. They are soothing and relaxing. Then I try painting.”

“Exercise, yoga, date nights and asking for help.”

“I go to the gym and I also get my nails done twice a month!”

“Gym/workout, and date night on Fridays.”

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