Self Care Tips for Parents
- rstinson10
- Feb 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
This post was written for homeschool parents, but I truly believe any parent can benefit from this information.
Homeschooling is an unique endeavor. It's not always obvious when parents can go on errands, get your hair cut, or read that new book you bought a month ago. You have to be more intentional than your public school peers in budgeting time for self care. Whether you are homeschooling or not, it is important as parents to make self-care a priority in your finances and schedule. Taking care of your kids is important, but so is taking care of yourself.
We hope this post encourages you make self care a priority.
Limit screen time
According to this article from Stanford, "Too much screen time can impact our health in a myriad of ways, from eye strain and neck pain to social isolation and mental health, and in some cases, it may cause harm to our brains."
Everything is so accessible and available online. Remote working, door-dash, social media, streaming services and online shopping make it easy to just stay home. While having down time and an occasional "Lazy Tuesday" is nice, it is also important to be intentional in making plans to get out of the house, instead of wasting away time on a device. Eat at a restaurant sometimes, visit with friends, go to the local pool, or walk around the mall.
Read our article about screen free boundaries in an overly digital world.
Meetup with friends
For Moms: we need fellowship with our friends too and a time to let our husband handle the kids! We need to be the village. Invite your friend for coffee or dinner at a counter service restaurant for a budget friendly meal or invite someone over to your home to chat.
"Moms' night out" parties are also a fun way to get together as a group. Play a party game like "Taboo" or "Catchphrase", do a craft or just chat over some good snacks and company. Here are some tips to make your moms' night great.
For Dads: there was a time when poker nights were popular. Maybe that is not your thing, so instead get together with some friend for dinner or join a "Dungeons and Dragons" club. Whatever it is, make time for meeting up with friends.
Host a double date! Hire a sitter and get together with another couple! It doesn't have to be at a restaurant. In the past, we have invited friends over for snacks and party games for a low key evening. We have also done an escape room with friends. Making time to meetup with other adults is fun and important.
Hire a Babysitter or Nanny
As a homeschooler you may still need part time childcare for dentist appointments, date night, or as a "substitute teacher" so you can have a sick day. Here is why a nanny is a good solution.
Budget in date night
You and your spouse need to have some kid free time. Prioritize time for just the two of you. Eat at a restaurant, do an escape room, go mini golfing or see a movie once in a while. If you don't have money to go out, at least allocate a reserved time once a week to be alone for a couple hours.
Participate in a hobby
Homeschooling offers the gift of time. You have time to take your family places, start gardening or learn to bake cookies from scratch. Take a painting class. Get a kindle unlimited subscription. What is something you always wanted to do, but put it off?
Do not engage in the "Bad Mom, Hot Mess" trend
Take care of yourself and love your family by presenting them as an example to others: with integrity and beauty. Do your nails. Schedule a hair salon visit. Buy some cute boots.
Be active and Exercise
Exercise is not only good for you, it can be fun! Ice skating? Zumba? Using the treadmill at the gym? Take an adult ballet class. Be workout buddies and invite a friend to do a home workout with you sometime. Whatever your favorite way to exercise is, make time for them in your budget and calendar.
Make your home your sanctuary
As homeschoolers, you are home more often than your Public/private school peers. Make your home comfortable. Buy the fancy coffee maker, get the more comfortable sofa, paint the kitchen walls! Keep your home in order. Hire a housekeeper if you want to.
Make a daily schedule for your family
Our family follows a semi- flexible daily schedule. Self care is allocated in our daily schedule for our children and for us parents. Having designated meal times, screen time, school time and bed times etc. also helps our home run smoothly. We invite you to read our tips for making a daily schedule.
Some of these ideas take financial planning
We totally understand. Here is our list of budget friendly homeschool resources.
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