New year, new never-ending list of ambitious resolutions, commitments, and to-do’s? While a new year symbolizes new beginnings and changes, the one thing we tend to forget to add to our priority list? Ourselves! Parents, we may have 99 problems, but taking care of ourselves should not be one. While we would love to run on magical, 24/7 batteries, we’re only human. Remember: in times of hardship and in times of ease, self-care is not selfish or self-indulgent!
“The world is moving so fast, especially with things like after school activities, homework, and therapies filling up our jam-packed schedules. I try to limit what I say ‘yes’ to so I can have some downtime.” — Dr. Lauren Stutman, PsyD
This isn’t easy, we get it. As parents, we tend to put our needs last. And sometimes, the most well-meaning self-care advice for parents feels impossible and out of touch with our experiences (pilates…every day?!). But sometimes taking care of ourselves can be as simple as taking a walk around the block, stepping into a room alone for five minutes, or booking a session with that therapist we’ve heard so much about. And it doesn’t end there — we have tips and advice sourced from an amazing group of psychologists, a neuropsychologist, and a marriage and family therapist!
It’s a new year, and we’re busy planning and preparing to meet our kids’ needs. But what about our needs? Read our expert- and community-sourced self-care tips in our article Your Most Underrated To-Do? YOU!
- If you’re wondering how to even approach prioritizing yourself this year, we’ve got you. Here are some ideas you can use to build your self-care plan, from physical to mental to emotional needs. Try making a calendar for the next 30 days that includes the ideas you think will work for you, and add your own to personalize it!
- Taking care of ourselves not only fills our cups to better take care of our kids, but it’s also a great way to model mental wellness and self-care. Here are five ways we can model mental wellness for neurodivergent kids — and the whole family!
- Stress and anxiety may be familiar feelings to us all, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn how to better navigate them. As MFT Diane Simon Smith shares, you can even practice “something small that can become a ritual.” Read more insights from Diane as we explore How to Navigate Stress and Anxiety as a Family.
- Sometimes, self-care means cozying up with a good book, podcast, article, or helpful app. Look no further! For some hand-picked resources (not just for parents but for the whole family), explore our list of Mental Wellness Resources for the Whole Family, with recs from neuropsychologist Dr. Rita Eichenstein and the Undivided Research team.Do you have a rockin’ self-care practice that you’d like to share with the Undivided community? Reply and let us know!
One Undivided member shares with her Undivided Navigator, “We sincerely appreciate all the information, experience, and support that you have selflessly provided to our family as we navigate this process and advocate for [our child]. With your help, we have made much progress. It is truly reassuring to have you on our side.”
How do you make time for yourself when you spend so much time caregiving? Psychologist Dr. Rushatakankovit weighs in with her advice. Check it out on YouTube→- Do you know a professional in the disability field we should interview on this topic or something else they’re passionate about? Tell us about them on LinkedIn→
- Registration dates for overnight summer camps are opening soon! What camps are you interested in for your child or family? Share in our private Facebook group →
- If you missed it last week, Undivided parent Lelah and her Navigator Jen appeared on KTLA! Check it out on Instagram→
- An Undivided Navigator can help you organize your priorities and free up more time for yourself. Start here→
Office Hours: IHSS Career Pathways
On January 17, 2024, Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will be available for a special Office Hours all about the IHSS Career Pathways program, where parent providers can be paid for taking training classes.
Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Zoom sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
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This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 1/11/24. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, and check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
