Gosh, taking time for yourself as a single parent sure is hard. I can barely catch a breather. Getting pulled in every direction, kids hanging off of you, and constantly catering to your little ones needs because you’re all they have . It can become very tiring. I’m here to tell you, we’ve all been there at some point in time. Here’s a few tips and tips and tricks for self care:

Staying Healthy

• Exercise, it may be hard to go to the gym but find at-home exercises on YouTube, etc. or go for a stroll in the neighborhood with the kids.
• Eat healthy, sometimes it’s hard but having the right food to fuel your body makes a world of a difference.

If your sick, drop the kids off to daycare or trusted family/friends, go back home and get the needed rest to help your body recover.

Find some “Me Time”

Spend time doing what you absolutely love doing (Mani, Pedi, Shopping for yourself, etc.)

Talk to other adults. This gives you time to socialize to other people other than your kiddos

Ask for help!

• If you can afford it, hire a housekeeper to help take the load off chores.

Ask friends/family even a sitter for help before you begin to feel overwhelmed

Self care is so important, and should be taken seriously. If you don’t take the time for yourself you will become physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Love your kids and also LOVE YOURSELF!! 💕

Any single moms (or dads)? Raise your hand, you’re not alone. Being a full-time mom, employed full-time, and a Reservist solider, things tend to get hectic. I have handsome three year old boy, and a gorgeous 10 month old daughter.

My days typically start between 5-5:30am, that’s if I can pry myself out of the bed. The only 30 minutes I get to myself out of an entire 24 hour period is when the kids are asleep in the mornings. That’s just enough time to shower, brush my teeth, do my hair, squeeze in a quick makeup routine, and stand in the closest for 10 minutes deciding in what to wear. By the time I’m done it’s a toss up to decide who I’ll wake up first. After struggling to get both kids ready we rush downstairs to get a quick but balanced breakfast in. While the kids are eating, I’m busting a sweat getting together diaper bags, backpacks, bottles and purses. The time has finally arrived to leave the house. I swear every morning it like training for the Olympics. With bags and baby girl in tow and pushing my son along out the door before the alarm is fully set we make it through the door. Another Olympic sport is getting the kids in the car (that’s another story for another day). Off to daycare and work for the day.

Yes it’s a lot of work and many ask us single parents “How do you do it?”, the answer is “I don’t know, I just do.”