There are definitely parents out there who refuse to put their own needs and wants ahead of those of their children. These parents often find that, as a result, their own health and welfare can easily fall by the wayside. While putting your kids above everything else is a good thing, and a thing that moms do without complaint, it will eventually take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. It’s even worse on single moms, so in this blog, you’ll find a few tips for taking care of yourself as a single mom.
Take the Time to Get Your Degree
As a single mom, many times you struggle to make ends meet. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to go to school and get your degree. While it may seem like you can’t add anything else to your already busy week, getting a degree will only help you and your child in the future.
Exercise Frequently
Whether it’s going to the local Tucson gym or walking around the block twice a day, you have got to get the right amount of exercise if you hope to take care of your family. While it can be tough to find time to exercise and raise a family, it’s important to fit it in at least twice a week. You’ll do your child much more good if you’re healthy.
Don’t Abandon Your Social Life
As a single mom, it’s hard to find the time to go out with friends, and nine times out of ten you feel guilty for leaving your kids when you do. You shouldn’t feel guilty and time out of the house with other adults is something you really need. Having friends is important to your emotional and mental health. You can talk to them about things that you certainly can’t talk to your kids about, and it’s good to get out and let down your hair at least once in a while.
Use and Organize Your Time Wisely
It’s next to impossible to raise a family as a single mom, and still take care of your own needs, if you don’t have a schedule and use your time wisely. It’s a good idea to get a planner to keep that schedule in and to remind you of meetings and other important things that you have coming up. If you don’t have a planner, then use a calendar to help you keep up with the things that are important.
Remember You’re Not Alone
The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is true. Don’t be afraid to ask your support system for help. Whether it’s close friends or your family, they probably would love to help you, but feel that you want to do it on your own. There’s no shame in asking for help, only in being too proud to ask for it when you need it. If you feel overwhelmed, ask your mom to pick the kids up from school or to keep them overnight where you can get out for some time on your own. You’ll never know if you don’t ask, now, will you?
Get Enough Sleep
You can’t expect to operate on an intelligent level if you’re only working on two or three hours of sleep. It’s important to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, not only for your health but for the health and safety of your children as well.
These are just a few tips to help you take care of yourself when you’re a single mom. You want it to be all about your children and that’s admirable, but you need to have time for yourself as well.
