Let’s talk about the elephant in the living room—parenting is exhausting. If you’ve ever hidden in the bathroom just for a moment of silence, high five, you’re not alone.
In a world full of parent support group ideas, self care for parents often takes a backseat. We’re too busy worrying about screen time limits, snack wars, and negotiating with mini humans who think pants are optional.
Here’s what they don’t put in parenting books: you don’t stop being a person just because you became a parent. You still need connection, rest, a moment to breathe—and maybe, just maybe, a cookie that you don’t have to share.
Emotional self-care isn’t just for yoga moms and therapy-goers. It’s for all of us—Parents with kids who want to feel whole, not just functional.
So here are my personal, hard-earned, emotionally-rescuing tips that help keep me (mostly) sane:
1. Talk to Yourself Like You’d Talk to a Friend
If I had a dollar for every time I called myself a “bad mom” for forgetting spirit day, I’d have enough for a guilt-free coffee run. Stop beating yourself up.
You wouldn’t call your best friend a failure for not making dinosaur-shaped sandwiches. Treat yourself with the same compassion. Look in the mirror and say, “You showed up today.
That counts.” That’s one of the most overlooked but powerful forms of emotional growth.
2. Cry. Yes, Cry.
Let it out. Cry in the car, cry in the shower, cry quietly into your pillow at night if you must—but cry. It’s not weakness, it’s release.
Emotional growth doesn’t always look like yoga and gratitude journals. Sometimes it’s mascara-streaked cheeks and sniffly “I’m fine” texts.
Tears are messengers—they help you reset, even if it’s just enough to get through bedtime stories.
3. Say No Without a 10-Minute Explanation
No, I can’t volunteer at the bake sale. No, I don’t want to host another playdate. No, I’m not available for small talk at the park when I haven’t had coffee. Protect your energy.
It’s not mean—it’s emotional self-respect. Saying no is not closing the door to others—it’s opening the door to yourself. Let’s normalize it, please.
4. Create a “No Kid Zone” (Even If It’s Just the Laundry Room)
Find one tiny corner of your house where toys are banned and sticky fingers don’t reach. Call it your slow parenting sanctuary. Light a candle, scroll Pinterest, pretend you’re in a spa—whatever helps you breathe. That’s your spot now.
Defend it like it holds the WiFi password. If all you’ve got is a laundry room, throw a pillow in there and claim it. Your peace matters.
5. Text a Parent Friend, Even If It’s Just a Meme
Connection matters. Being part of a Parent Support Group doesn’t mean weekly Zoom calls—it can just be that one friend who gets it when you text “my toddler just fed the dog Play-Doh.” Laughing about the chaos is emotional care.
A shared eye-roll over parenting memes can bring more sanity than ten parenting books. Let yourself connect.
6. Go to Bed Angry (at Your Dishes)
Seriously. Leave the mess. The kitchen doesn’t need closure. Sometimes the best emotional care is walking away from chores and prioritizing your peace. Your sink won’t explode.
Your brain, on the other hand, might if you don’t rest. Let go of that productivity guilt. Sleep is the most underrated parenting tool in the world.
7. Make a “Joy List” and Actually Use It
Mine includes loud 2000s music, chocolate chips straight from the bag, and dancing badly in socks. Make your own list of small things that make you feel alive, not just “functional.”
Then use it when your tank’s on empty. Repeat as needed. It’s not selfish—it’s survival. Even ten minutes of joy can reset your day.
8. Unfollow That One Instagram Mom
You know the one. Her toddler eats kale chips, her home is spotless, and she “just LOVES sensory play!” Bye, Karen. Protect your emotional space by curating what you see.
Your feed should inspire—not exhaust—you. Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. Emotional self-care sometimes starts with the unfollow button.
9. Speak Kindly to Yourself in Front of Your Kids
When they see us mess up and still speak gently to ourselves, they learn how to handle their own imperfections. Positive parenting solutions start with positive self-talk.
You’re not just raising kids—you’re raising future adults who will mirror what they see. And when they see you extend grace to yourself, they learn how to do the same.
10. Do One Thing Today Just for You
Not for your kids, not for your partner, not even for the family pet. One small thing. A hot drink, a 15-minute walk, journaling, or hiding in the car longer than necessary.
You deserve time that’s yours and yours alone. If you have to schedule it like a doctor’s appointment—do it. Prioritize yourself like your happiness depends on it, because it does.
11. Ask for Help (Seriously, Ask)
Child psychologists, support groups, therapists, or even that neighbor who says, “Let me know if you need anything”—lean on them.
Getting help is strength, not failure. Emotional self-care means knowing you don’t have to do it all alone. The load lightens when you speak up. Don’t wait until you’re running on fumes.
In Closing…
Parenting is not a one-person marathon. It’s a chaotic relay race with sticky handoffs, tearful pit stops, and lots of snack breaks.
Emotional self-care isn’t extra—it’s essential. You’re not just a parent. You’re a person, too. And you deserve to feel whole, not just holding it all together.
So today, take a moment. Put yourself first. Just for a minute. Because a more emotionally cared-for you is the best gift you can give your family. You matter—and it’s okay to act like it.
