Investing in Yourself, Investing in Your Family BY AMANDA CIANI PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM
W e have all heard versions of, “It is hard to fill someone else’s cup if yours is empty!” Sometimes parenting feels like it entirely revolves around refilling everyone else's cups all day long, literally and figuratively. Then at the end of the night, when a parent has time to sit down, they realize their cup is looking pretty dry. The good news is there are many ways for parents to fill their cups. The experts all agree–being fulfilled will not only put parents in a place to be the best versions of themselves, it will also make them great role models to their kiddos, too. Being one’s best self truly benefits the whole family!
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS Having a family is a busy business! There are people to feed, bathe, teach, play with, transport, etc. Having children is life’s greatest gift; every moment can be a memory made. But! In all honesty and transparency, it can be tiring. And stressful! So, when does normal parenting worry and exhaustion cross over to something slightly more concerning? Mental Health Care Author and Therapist Alexandria Fields, MSW LISW-S of Inclusive Therapy, notes that “interrupted sleep, increased irritability, avoiding or canceling social plans, and feeling in a constant state of threat” are
all red flags that may signify it may be beneficial to reach out for help and take the first steps toward healing. She also extends understanding by noting, “Please remember that any step toward self-care is going to be helpful, but the first step is often the hardest.” Fields suggests starting with individual therapy and then trusting the advice and recommendations of the therapists. Tools such as journaling and meditation can help parents boost their spirits, but one of the most effective tools is the utilization of community. She goes on to recognize that “not all people who need therapy will require medication,” yet “if a therapist is
38 SEPTEMBER2024 | BRPARENTS.COM
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