How Do I Balance My Needs With My Children’s Needs?

Many parents find it difficult to establish a middle ground of balancing their needs with their children’s needs. Even those with many years of parenting experience can be thrown off by the challenge of keeping themselves healthy while focusing their energy on the health and needs of their children.

Each family and situation is different, so there’s no right or wrong way of doing this. However, there are a few key things to keep in mind, and ways that work best for you and your family.

Your Needs Are Just as Important

Many parents feel guilty for thinking of themselves first or prioritizing their needs over the needs of their children. First and foremost, it’s important for you to realize that your needs are just as important as your children’s needs. We know this may be difficult to accept, but it’s true.

You can’t do much good for anyone, including your children, if you aren’t taking care of yourself. By seeing you taking care of your own needs in a healthy way, your child can learn and appreciate that even parents have real needs, feelings, and challenges.

Recharge your Energy

As a parent, you are key to the family unit. Many people rely on you, but you may not have anyone else to rely on the way that a small child relies on a parent.

While it can be empowering to be self-reliant, it also means you must actively take the steps necessary to take care of yourself. To prioritize what you need at times. Do something for yourself, even if it’s just for a short time each day. This can be as simple as reading a book, doing yoga, sitting outside to relax, going to a walk, or listening to music.

Reduce Stress in the Household

Many children can pick up on existing stress in the household, even without you saying anything. It’s easy for this stress to transfer to the children, who often don’t know how to deal with these feelings. They may be unable to verbalize their thoughts or feelings accurately and may become more needy, relying on you more often.

There is a healthy cycle that develops when you reduce stress within the household. By doing so, your children will be less likely to feel threatened, and ultimately more able to cope with certain issues by themselves.

Helping You Focus on Yourself and Your Family

When you help yourself, you also help your child. Prioritizing your needs and health can give you the strength to put your best foot forward and be the parent that you really want to be.

We understand that financial stress or feelings of uncertainty about your family or your family’s future can make it difficult to focus on both yourself and your children. If you need help with any type of family law matter, our firm is here to provide you with useful and personalized legal solutions to help you now and in the future.

Let us help you reduce your worry and stress so you can concentrate on your family and your children.

Contact Wisselman, Harounian & Associates at (516) 773-8300 to speak with one of our family law attorneys and learn more about your legal options.