Looking after yourself

Why it's important

It's easy for your children to take up your every waking minute. But unless you look after yourself, you can exhaust all your reserves of energy and enthusiasm. Make time for the people and activities that help you feel positive, energetic and self-confident.

If these ring a bell, it's time to take more care of yourself:

• Are your meals often the children's leftovers?
• Is your main social event the parents' evening at school?
• Is running around after the children the only decent exercise you get?

Make time for yourself

It can be difficult, but make time for yourself and relax. Don't see this as a special treat but as something you deserve on a regular basis.

So whether it's a walk on your own, a meal out or a get together with a good friend, find a couple of hours for it.

Juggling work and home

Balancing your job with your home life can be tough and there's nothing worse than worrying about your childcare arrangements while you're at work. To find out more about childcare options see our childcare section.

You could also:

• Find out about family-friendly practices in your workplace. Up to 60 per cent of employers say they let their staff vary their hours and nearly half offer stress counselling.
• Take a few minutes at the end of the day to share the ups and downs of your day with your partner or a friend - but don't spend the whole evening thinking about work.
• Make the most of time off. Do something together as a family at the weekends.

Parenting alone

Parenting alone can be satisfying, but there can also be added stress as all the decisions and daily routines fall to you. To help you cope, try to:

• Get together with other parents at least once a week, whether they're friends and family, toddler groups or parent teacher associations
• Find 15 to 30 minutes each day to unwind without the children, perhaps after they've gone to bed
• Contact a support group to see what they can offer