Raising children is an important task and taking care of yourself will help you do the job well. Because when you take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, you can give your children what they need to grow and thrive. Taking care of yourself means taking care of your relationships, your health, and your well-being. When you focus on taking care of babies or children, it’s easy to forget or run out of time to take care of those parts of your life. But it pays to take care of yourself – it’s good for you and good for your kids. Take care of your relationship with your partner For parents with partners, nurturing your relationship can help you get the most out of your parenting and partnership. Open communication can help you cope with the changes in the relationship and the challenges that come with parenthood. You may be getting less sleep, less time to talk to each other, and less time alone with each other. This can sometimes lead to disagreements. You can manage those tensions and keep your relationship positive by talking to each other about how you’re feeling and finding ways to support each other. It also helps to choose your battles and reserve a time and place to discuss frustrations and work out solutions. Realistic expectations, understanding, and forgiveness can often make the difference between staying together and drifting apart. Taking care of yourself: activity, food and rest Three things make a big difference in your energy levels and ability to help your children grow and thrive: Stay active Eat healthy food Rest as much as possible. Regular exercise improves blood circulation, increases the overall metabolism, strengthens the immune system and puts you in a good mood. A daily walk gets you out of the house and into the fresh air. A change of scenery can do wonders for your mood, or you can just hop around the house listening to your favourite music. Healthy food gives you energy. Have simple foods on hand, like freshly cut veggies with dips, fruit, yoghurt, and whole wheat bread Postnatal depression in women and men Postnatal depression in women and postnatal depression in men can affect parents in the weeks and months after their baby is born. Symptoms of PND include trouble sleeping and eating, crying, inability to do daily tasks, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, fear of socializing or being alone, feelings of guilt, loss of confidence, and negative thoughts, including suicidal thoughts Manage Stress Most parents feel stressed from time to time. Raising children is an important and challenging task. For example, there are everyday challenges to getting yourself and the kids out the door and to school and work on time. And you sometimes have to deal with bigger challenges like financial problems, health concerns, relationship problems and so on. You can manage stress by thinking positively, applying routines, staying connected with others, and making time for yourself. Even a few minutes alone to sip a cup of tea can help lower your stress levels. Asking family or friends for support — or just talking to others about how you’re feeling — can also relieve the pressure.