I had my first experience of taking care of a sick kid while also being sick. Ugh. Not a fan. At all. I sympathize with all the parents out there who have to do this. A lot. And with multiples!
I am a big advocate for self-care. Taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Put your oxygen mask on first, etc. I’m all about that.
But sometimes you just can’t. Especially when dealing with a tiny human or helpless creatures (thinking of all our fur babies out there!). Sometimes you have to put them first because there is no one else to help. Now granted, I do have a husband who is amazing, the best at all the things and helps a tremendous amount. But at one point while he was at work and I was home taking care of our son, I had a moment of “Sh*t. I really don’t feel good.” And in that moment, my son came first. I felt like crap, but I had to put his needs first. Then the next day I had my husband take the day off from work so he could be the primary caretaker and I was able to take care of myself.
Self-care sometimes feels like a bit of see-sawing back and forth, never quite balanced, but always searching for a happy equilibrium. It’s kind of like your body’s natural need to find homeostasis. If you go too far in one direction, things feel completely off (and your body let’s you know!).
“Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your kids.”
~Unknown
So, put yourself first when you can. Sometimes you can’t, and that’s OK. But once you have the space, make sure you find that time for yourself. Your body (and mind and spirit) will thank you.