Don’t Forget to Put Yourself in the Spotlight

After the busy days of Christmas, the new year and the restarting of school, perhaps now is the time to try and put yourself in the spotlight. In other words, self-care for parents is important. Self-care for parents of highly sensitive children (HSC) is vital. Your bucket needs to be empty, if you are to successfully help your HSC with their bucket.

Spontaneous – Time for Myself

I had planned to write a blog post first thing this morning, once the school run was done and dusted. Walking home from school I changed my mind. I realised I wasn’t quite ready to sit behind my computer and throw myself back into writing – not right then.

Instead I journaled for a little while. Then I sat and watched an episode of Downton Abbey whilst knitting some more of the scarf I am making for my eldest.

Why Self-Care for Parents Matters

Whilst walking home from school I realised I have not been alone during the last two weeks. Not at all. This was the reason I felt like the Christmas break was hectic, even though we weaved in lots of chill time into our fortnight.

Although my bucket is, and has, not been overflowing the past week, I needed to take some time out to empty some of it out. I needed time to clear my head. Take advantage of the quiet in the house before I pick my sons up for lunch and the house fills once more.

Why self-care for parents matters? Particulalry highly sensitive parents and parents of HSCs? Because we place unnecessary expectations upon ourselves. We put ourselves last. Vow to do something about that this year.

When you are highly sensitive, acknowledging your own need for solitude, quiet time and calm is so incredibly important. Grabbing that time when you can is vital. We all know that in theory, but we often have problems acting on that need and actually carving out that time.

Put Yourself in the Spotlight

At the start of each year I capture my hopes and dreams for the new year. I set goals. One of my personal goals is always to create more calm in my own mind – to close some of those browsers down that run constantly in the background. To listen to my own needs too.

If I am calm, my sons will be calmer too. When I seek out quiet, my sons will follow my example. If I accept the limitations of my bucket, I hope my sons will too.

So I have kicked off today getting rid of the buzzing and nagging in my head – I have given myself permission to take time out, to listen to my own needs. Sometimes you just need to throw plans away or put them on hold and listen to yourself. Sometime you should absolutely put the spotlight on yourself. I hope it will help me help my children with their overflowing buckets when they come out of school at lunchtime….. they’re going to need it after a two week break from the classroom!

Over to You

Do you listen to your own needs? Do you help yourself before you help the rest of your family? Or is this something you struggle with? Share your thoughts and tips below. I love hearing from you!