The day our schools announced they were closing for an indefinite period of time, I went into preparation mode. I don’t mean stocking up on toilet paper or grocery shopping. I had already done that (the grocery shopping part, not the stocking up on TP).
No, I thought: how am I going to keep these kids entertained and somehow maintain my sanity? I sat down with my oldest, Little Miss, and explained things in ways a 5 year old would understand. She lit up at my ideas for doing “school” at home, playing games together, and crafts. (Affiliate links included).
Then, after both kids were tucked in for the night, and I picked up the remnants of dinner and sanitized the dining area, I returned to planning mode… for the kids.
Suddenly I stopped myself.
Planning things for the kids is all well and good (and I highly encourage it), but I was forgetting something important. Forgetting something that is SO easy to put on the back burner. Forgetting something that I still 100% needed.
Self care.
Don’t forget about you
As parents, we need to take care of ourselves too. I have no doubt it’s going to be hard to do as the next couple weeks unfold. But the better we take care of ourselves, mentally and physically, the better we can take care of our kids.
How do we fit self care in when the house is full?
Institute individual quiet time. Honestly.
In the three years I’ve been a work-at-home mom, quiet time is a must for me. It’s a part of our routine, and it’s a bit of a reset for everyone in the house. It usually starts with a show or a book for the kids, and then they can choose what they do in their room. For me, it takes different forms. Sometimes it’s work, sometimes it’s self care, even if that mental health break is only for a few minutes. (Here are some quiet-time activity ideas for kids).
Also: give yourself permission to step away. The kids don’t need you to plan out every second of their day. Let them have some creative time… and then go take some time for yourself.
Self Care Ideas
So, what can we do for self care when we’re stuck at home? Here are some ideas:
Exercise – If you don’t have an exercise program, find one on YouTube, or check out the 2-week free trial of Beachbody OnDemand.
Read – Magazines, books, blogs. Now is a great time to make some headway on your TBR list.
Create art – Draw or doodle, color, use your kid’s stickers, whatever helps you clear your mind.
Step outside – When and if you can, take a walk by yourself around the block.
Take a bath – After the kiddos go to bed, draw yourself a bubbly bath — and maybe pour yourself a glass of bubbly too?
Do a facial mask – When you rejuvenate your skin, whether with a homemade or store-bought mask, you may feel rejuvenated too.
Bake – Get creative with the ingredients in your kitchen. A favorite of mine? Banana bread.
Find a new hobby – Have you been meaning to try a new hobby or learn something new? Whether it’s knitting, painting rocks, or something else, chances are there’s a YouTube tutorial for that.
At-home massage – When the kids are in bed, put up your feet and use a massager like this to relax.
Plan virtual meetups with friends – Grab a drink and meet up with friends virtually over things like Facetime or Google Hangouts.
Binge watch a favorite TV show – Thank goodness for plenty of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Journal – get all those feelings out!
And sometimes? Sometimes self care just means pausing, closing your eyes, and taking a breath. You got this mama.
If you have any other self care while stuck at home ideas, feel free to share them below!
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