The Real Secret to Parental Mental Wellness (No, It’s Not More Coffee)
Share
Let’s be honest: parenting young children is a full-contact sport.
It’s sticky counters, big feelings, interrupted thoughts, and more snack requests than you ever thought possible. It’s also joy, hilarity, and the kind of love that rearranges your entire soul.
But let’s not pretend it’s easy—especially if you’re raising a child with special needs and spending most of your day in full-on 1:1 support mode. It’s exhausting. It’s beautiful. And it can be incredibly isolating if we’re not careful to support ourselves, too.
This isn’t a fluffy list of “just take a bubble bath” tips. This is a real-talk, heart-led reminder from a fellow parent and therapist that your mental wellness matters deeply.
Here’s how we can start making space for it—together.
1. Self-Care (but not the Pinterest kind)
Let’s redefine what self-care actually looks like when you’re a parent.
It’s not always a spa day or meditation retreat.
Sometimes it’s setting a boundary.
Sometimes it’s asking for help (even when it feels hard).
Sometimes it’s closing your eyes for 3 minutes while Bluey plays.
When your days are built around caring for others, finding tiny windows of care for yourself is a quiet act of rebellion. It’s also the most sustainable way to stay present for the people who need you most.
2. Nurture Your Relationship (even in 10-minute bursts)
Let’s talk about something no one warns you about: how much your partnership can get lost in the fog of parenting.
Especially with young children, and even more so when one child needs significant support, it can feel like your relationship gets put on the “someday” list. But connection doesn’t require huge chunks of time—it just needs intention.
→ A cup of coffee together before the chaos starts
→ A 5-minute check-in during nap time
→ A text in the middle of the day that says, “We’ve got this”
Your partnership is the quiet engine running behind the scenes. Even a little care can refuel it in big ways.
3. Reclaim Your Identity (you’re allowed)
Yes, you’re a parent.
But you’re also… still you.
It’s okay to want something that’s just yours.
A hobby. A goal. A creative spark. Even a podcast you get to listen to in the car without stopping for Goldfish crackers.
These moments of reconnection to yourself aren’t selfish. They’re stabilizing. They remind you that you are a whole human with needs, dreams, and worth—outside of the parenting role.
And honestly? That version of you makes a more grounded, joyful parent.
4. Let Go of Perfect (seriously, it’s a trap)
Here’s the truth: you will mess things up.
You will lose your patience.
You will forget a school thing.
You will hand your child toast with no butter on one side and call it dinner.
You are not failing. You are parenting.
Letting go of perfection and embracing “good enough and deeply loving” is how we reduce pressure and increase peace. Your child doesn’t need you to be perfect—they need you to be present and attuned, even if your hair is in a three-day-old bun.
5. Grow Alongside Your Kids
Parenthood isn’t just about shaping our kids—it shapes us.
Personal growth doesn’t have to stop once the baby arrives. In fact, it's more important than ever. Whether you take an online class, go back to therapy, or revisit something you loved pre-kids, your growth fuels your capacity.
It’s okay to want more. It’s okay to evolve.
You’re allowed to expand, even while you hold space for little ones.
💛 Final Thoughts: Fill Your Cup, Guilt-Free
If no one has told you this today: You are doing so much.
You are not behind. You are not alone. You are not weak for needing rest, space, or support.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It’s a responsibility.
Because when you’re nourished, your whole family feels it.
So breathe. Step away when you can. Be messy. Ask for what you need.
You don’t have to do this perfectly.
You just have to keep showing up with heart—and a little softness for yourself.