As a busy mum of four home educated children

Self care can be pretty sketchy

Throughout lockdown I have not had any child free time

But it has actually been okay

I have indulged my book buying habit

Spent more than I should on home education resources and curriculums

I have enjoyed daily walks with the family

And especially with Esther and William

We average about 4km a day and it helps to reset me

We have really taken notice of nature these past few months

And as a family we are enjoying our slower more secluded life

Self care is so important

Finding time to do something for you

A way of recharging your batteries

Of clearing your head

No one can pour from an empty cup

We all need fuel in our tank

And space to breathe

I love coffee and chocolate and children’s books

Those treasures and our nature walks really do feed my soul

Here are some other ways to try and squeeze in some self care

A long bath with a book

David and I have been rewatching Robin Hood on BBC iPlayer

Here are a few extra ideas

Make Sure You Sleep Well
Sleep is one of the most important things in ensuring you stay energised and healthy. With no sleep, you won’t be able to look after you or your kids well, so making sure you’ve got enough rest to take on the day will benefit everyone. If you’re not getting enough sleep, ask yourself why – one of the most common causes of disrupted sleep is a bad mattress, and there’s nothing worse than trying to start a long day on barely any sleep. Sometimes, the best beds come in a box, meaning you don’t need to dedicate a day sorting through mattresses – they’re simple and easy to fit into your schedule!

Bedtime isn’t just for the kids, either! Setting a routine for bed, by going to bed and waking up at a certain time, means you can start to regulate your sleep cycle, and let your body more easily allocate energy to when you need it, rather than jump around.

Make Some “Me Time”
As a parent, it’s so easy to get so caught up in our kids that we forget to look after ourselves. But we still deserve to have some time alone too! You may be thinking, “How am I going to get any time for myself with such a busy schedule?”, but even 15 minutes a day before everyone else wakes up, or half an hour for your partner to watch them while you take some time for you, is enough to just give yourself some peace and quiet, or set yourself up for the day.

In those few minutes, there are plenty of things you can do – yoga, mindfulness, call a friend, write in a journal. Think of something small that brings you joy, and try to make time for it every day, or at least once a week. We all need a treat and time for ourselves, and you deserve to be looked after as much as anyone else!

Keep in Touch
You might find yourself so focused on your kids that you forget other people! Don’t let it take over your life to the point where you stop talking to family and friends – not only do they care about you, but they want to support you, especially if you’re struggling. Keeping in touch with friends and socialising can give you a few minutes to feel like you again, rather than “Mum”, and can help take your mind off any issues that may be happening for a while.

Keeping in touch with people also means that if you need them, they’re there. If you’re overworked, don’t be afraid to ask for help – most will be glad to be there for you, and it can give you the time you need to refocus. Don’t forget your partner, either – you are still a couple! Ask others to watch the kids while you maintain the romantic side of your relationship; make time for dates again, time to go out, even if just a walk, and keep yourself connected in other areas of your life as well as your kids.

There’s no denying that parenting is hard, but by taking steps to regain parts of your life you may have disregarded, you can start to build up some energy and feel better for you and for your kids.

Here I am

Enjoying my me time

Catching up on work and social media

Before falling in to bed

What will you do for you today?

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