I have a three year old, and am currently 30 weeks pregnant. I already know how hard it can be to take care of myself as a parent to one, and I can only assume it's going to get harder. But I also don't work outside the home, so splurging on spa days or lunches or new clothes doesn't really seem realistic as regular treat for self-care.
Here are my favorite free or very inexpensive self-care activities:
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Visit the local animal shelter or humane society and spend some time playing with nice cats and doggos. They appreciate the love just as much as you do!
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Solo picnic. Pack a simple lunch, bring a book or some music, and just enjoy eating a meal in one sitting, without sharing bites with a tiny demanding person, or jumping up every two minutes to intervene at the park.
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At-home manicure/pedicure. Take the time to get a bowl of warm water, light a candle, play music, give yourself a little hand/foot massage before trimming nails and painting.
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Yoga. I like to find free yoga videos (tons on youtube and elsewhere), make myself a little "studio" (usually just a quiet room with a towel on the floor), and just spend 20 minutes in my body. I do not treat it like a workout by any means, and just do what feels good while breathing carefully.
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Play a game with my toddler we call "Lights Out". Great for rainy days. Basically we just pretend the power is out in the house. We build a fort, use flashlights to see, read books and play legos, and only eat fun "camping" foods we don't have to heat (usually peanut butter and apples and crackers). We can make this last for several hours on a good day, and it leaves both of us feeling really calm and very bonded.
I'd really like to hear some new ideas too!
July 22, 2018 at 12:12PM
