Parenthood: An Amazing Roller Coaster
Everyday ways to recognize and honor the effort and rewards of parenting.
There’s no question about it—raising children is hard work, with endless ups and downs! You feel joy, pride, and inspiration. You feel worry, frustration, and doubt. It can be easy to forget all the little ways you’re making a big difference in the kids’ lives. But you don’t need to wait around for a pat on the back from others…you can take time to celebrate yourself.
Giving yourself a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all the effort you’re putting into parenting can help put the wild roller coaster ride into perspective. Right now, try one of these ideas:
- Throw yourself a two-minute solo dance party. Play your favorite song and strut your stuff.
- Hug your kids, breathe deep, and feel the love coming in and going out with each breath.
- Take three deep breaths and visualize the details of the first time you saw your child/children, or look at photos of those moments.
- Write down one thing you love about yourself, one thing you love about your child, and one thing you love about your family.
- Squeeze lotion on your hands and give yourself a mini hand massage!
- Add a little something to your daily “to do” list that is just for you—making yourself a cup of tea, reading your favorite magazine, or calling a good friend for a laugh.
By taking little moments for yourself, you’re also teaching your child the importance of self-care.
For Providers: Using These Resources
Print and refer to this page as you implement the materials in this initiative.
Parenting Moment: Describing
The way you talk with children matters! Your words have power.
Parenting Moment: Imitating
Playing is learning! The way you play with children matters… your actions and words have power.
Parenting Moment: Reflecting
The way you talk with children matters… your words have power!
Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow
It takes a special kind of patience to handle children’s middle-of-the-night wakeups! Read about how a Monster-Fairy family manages it.
Milestones: Your Five-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Six-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
