Self-care is something I really struggle with.
I find it difficult to put my needs ahead of others.
See, I'm a giver and a carer.
So I hate acknowledging that I need help and therefore, never ask for it. Giving control over to someone else, when I know I can do it eventually, is hard for me. I guess in a way it feels like failing, even though I know I am not.
Perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist.
Or maybe it's the fact that I am usually just too darn tired to give myself the attention and care I require.
After all, raising kids is hard and exhausting. So I end up not having the energy to even consider my own needs.
However, I have been trying to be better at giving myself the self-care I need. It's important to do so. I am a much better person, and a much better parent, when I do.
But finding time away to give myself the self-care I need is impossible. There's not too many people I trust to look after my kids for any length of time. That's why I'm focusing on finding self-care activities to do with my kids.
These activities are for you to do together with your kids to help both of you feel recharged because let's face it, most parents struggle to find time alone to do these things themselves. So why not include the kids!
By including them, I am helping them learn self-care skills themselves. I am helping them, and me, fill our coping skills toolbox and teaching them valuable self-regulation skills.
50 Self-Care Activities You Can Do With Kids
This list of ideas is designed to make you laugh, relax, breathe, and generally just have fun with your kids. They are activities that you can do together to make you both feel recharged. They will reset your day and help you and your child feel refreshed!
1. Have a dance party
2. Play a game (our current favorites are Ticket to Ride, Hogwarts Battle, and Dragonwood)
3. Unplug and read a book (we are currently reading through the Harry Potter books)
4. Exercise
5. Go for a bike ride
6. Go for a walk or a hike
7. Cuddle up and watch a movie
8. Paint your nails
9. Diffuse essential oils
10. Draw, paint, or craft
11. Journal
12. Write a collaborative story
13. Bake or cook a meal
14. Order take out or go out for supper
15. Drink warm beverages
16. Do some Mad libs
17. Just play!
18. Watch music videos on YouTube
19. Go swimming
20. Go to the library and pick out books
21. Tell jokes
22. Meditate
23. Do yoga
24. Blow bubbles
25. Garden
26. Go on a picnic
27. Swing at the park
28. Go out for ice cream
29. Give each other back or foot massages
30. Call or FaceTime with family or friends
31. Watch funny videos on YouTube
32. Listen to music
33. Take a nap
34. Learn something new (instrument, language, hobby, etc.)
35. Listen to an audiobook
36. Write poetry
37. Skip rocks on a pond
38. Make an inspiration collage
39. Go fishing
40. Go berry picking
41. Explore a new museum, park, or area of your town or city
42. Scrapbook
43. Take silly pictures together
44. Write things you like about yourself and your child on a list and have them to do the same
45. Plan a trip to somewhere you've never been before
46. Do a puzzle
47. Brush and/or braid each other's hair
48. Lay in a hammock and cuddle, read a book, and/or talk
49. Build a fort and play a game or read a book inside it
50. Go to a pet store and watch the fish swim around
Download the Free Printable Cheat Sheet
To get a copy of the printable cheat sheet, cpck the pnk below:
>> Click here to download the free printable
Other Ideas You'll Love
This post is part of a monthly series called Parenting Children with Special Needs. This month's topic is self-care and you can find the other posts regarding this topic below.
7 Practical Self Care Activities for Stressed Out Special Needs Parents | My Home Truths
Self-Care for Foster and Adoptive Famipes | The Chaos and The Clutter
What Happens When You Ignore Self Care | This Outnumbered Mama
Why You Should Keep a Journal as a Part of Your Self Care Routine | Kori at Home