The Well-Balanced Parent
Are your daily parenting demands causing you stress? Constantly completing household tasks, managing emotions, and regulating behaviors isn’t easy. In fact, being a parent is an inherent sacrifice of self.
The good news is, you are not alone, and we are here to help! In this article, we want to equip you with the tools you need to balance the act of caring both for your children and for yourself.
Parenting brings numerous joys, including nurturing healthy attachments and relationships, witnessing your children's development and exploration of the world, and experiencing daily moments of happiness that enrich your journey together. However, parenting also involves real challenges, such as managing nutrition, helping your children process their emotional state, and navigating the thoughts and opinions of other relatives or caregivers. In order to remain a well-balanced parent despite the challenges, it is essential to pour into yourself so that you can pour into your children.
Here are three practical self-care tools for parents:
1. Physical Activity
Physical activity is essential to self-care and mental wellbeing. As a parent, it can be hard to find the time for traditional physical activity, such as going for a run or going to the gym. However, going for a walk or having a dance party are great alternatives for busy parents. Whether by yourself, with your kids, or with a friend, carving in physical movement is essential to keeping yourself fueled throughout the day.
2. Forming and Maintaining Relationships
Giving yourself the space to form and maintain relationships outside of your children will be essential for their well-being, and yours! Calling a loved one during the day, going to church on the weekend, or getting involved in parenting groups during the week are great ways to routinely form and maintain relationships. Parenting becomes a lot easier when you are surrounded by people who are walking a similar life path and can empathize with your thoughts and feelings.
3. Make Time to Read or Listen to Books/Podcasts
Parenting can feel overwhelming and anxiety provoking when we may not realize children’s behaviors are normal or we are not sure how to handle the behaviors we are faced with. A great way to handle this is through engaging in educational resources such as parenting books or podcasts. It can be hard to find time but listening to an audiobook or podcast while doing laundry or cooking are great ways to fit in these moments. Giving yourself this gift of time to mentally grow will not only help you feel more connected to yourself but will help you set a good example for your children as they watch you model life long learning and emotionally regulate.
Another great blueprint for parenting exists within God’s Word. Using scripture, we can learn what it means to be a well-balanced parent from the perfect parent!
Here are a few additional ways Scripture can inform godly parenting:
1. Praying without ceasing
God is involved with every aspect of our lives, meaning he is always listening to us and walking with us each day. When we are in constant conversation with God, he can give us the strength we need for our next feat. Just as Jesus withdrew himself to speak with God in Matthew 26:36, we can find comfort in our solitude with Christ. While we may be physically alone at times, God is always with us and will provide exactly what we need when we ask for his guidance and grace.
2. Using God’s Word as an anchor
Reading or listening to Scripture is a great way to remind us that we are anchored in Christ. As 2 Corinthians 3:3 reminds us, the word of God is alive. To keep God’s word alive, we must read, listen, or recite the words he gives us, so that they remain active in our hearts and minds. Whether placing a verse or two on the refrigerator or listening to a few verses before bed each night, the act of taking in God’s word will give us the power and wisdom to show God’s grace to our children.
3. Finding Christ in a loving community
In Hebrews 10:25, God reminds us that we are made to be in community with others where we can share and encourage each other. As parents, it can often feel too difficult to get to church or a small group, especially when we have used up all our energy just to get through the day. However, when we are in community with others, we can receive support that we would otherwise be unable to receive on our own. During challenging times, we are created to mentor and encourage each other, and in Christ’s community, it is what we are called to do!
If you are struggling in your parenting journey, remember that you are not alone! God is walking alongside you, and our Wellspring community is here to offer you support with counseling, workshops, and tons of resources.
To learn more helpful and healthy tips on your journey to becoming a well-balanced parent, check out our podcast with our therapist Lorelei Garrett!
