Back to School Can Be Overwhelming

We are at the end of August and school is in full swing events are planned, and sports have started! Which also means that you’re more than likely overbooked with pick-ups, drop-offs, practice, games, performances and maybe even those after school projects. While you’re probably more than excited that your child is in a new grade ready to learn new things it can be overwhelming. Days can feel as though they are never ending, these are the times to make sure there is a plan for self-care in place.

The Importance of Self-Care

It is exciting to have your kiddo come home from school and be so excited for what took place that day but,  it can feel as though it is hard to keep up with the day’s demands. It is important for self-care to take place ensuring that you have time to decompress and have time to be able be present with your children. However, it can be difficult to do so if you are not taking care of yourself.

Taking care of yourself can sometimes feel as though it is the last thing you have time for. If you have ever been on an airplane, they tell you to put your mask on first and then your child’s. I am a parent as well and that to me often sounds wild I often think to myself “there is no way I would put mine on first.” However, when we think about it if we do not take care of yourself how can you take care of your children.

How to Prioritize Your Self-Care

Self-care does not always need to be a day at a spa or renting a hotel to take a 24-hour uninterrupted nap, although that sounds wonderful. It can be waking up early sitting outside with a cup of tea or coffee, doing yoga in the morning or when the kids go to bed, it can be a bath, it can even be going through the Starbucks drive thru getting your favorite coffee and going home to enjoy it and reading a book. Self-care is a time for you to decompress, turn your mind off from the day to day demands and allow yourself time to re-group and re-charge.

Feeling as though you have had enough time for you and enough time to process the day will allow you the space to feel like a better parent, a better spouse, friend, sibling and most importantly a kinder person towards yourself. As we roll into September take a moment to see where you would feel most comfortable scheduling in self-care. I challenge you to make a list of self-care ideas on a piece of paper and tape it somewhere you look at everyday and try one, once a week.

About the Author: 

Leilani Mitchell, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #127220