Parenting Stress vs Self-care
Hi there,
With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, I wanted to offer a gentle reminder to all parents of young children: you matter, too.
So much of parenting is spent making sure everyone else is cared for, supported, fed, comforted, and loved. In the middle of all of that, it can be easy to forget that your own well-being deserves attention as well.
In this week’s blog and podcast episode, let's talk about self-care.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts, watch on YouTube, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Or/ and here are a few reminders I hope you carry with you this week:
• Self-care does not need to be perfect or expensive. Sometimes it looks like drinking your coffee while it’s still warm, stepping outside for fresh air, sitting in silence for five minutes, or taking a shower without rushing. Small moments still count.
• You are not meant to do this alone. If things feel heavy, reach out to someone you trust. Let people know what support would actually help — whether that’s help with childcare, meals, errands, or simply someone checking in on you.
• Community matters. Parenting can feel incredibly isolating at times. Finding supportive, grounded people — online or in person — can remind you that you’re not the only one navigating hard days.
• Your children learn from how you care for yourself, too. When they see you resting, setting boundaries, asking for help, and tending to your emotional needs, they learn those things are important and healthy.
• Support is available. Parenting while exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained can be incredibly difficult. Therapy, support groups, trusted relationships, and sometimes medication can all be meaningful forms of care.
Most importantly, please remember this:
You do not have to do everything perfectly to be a good parent.
Be gentle with yourself this week.
Warmly,
Huiying Jessica Tull
你好！
本周日就是母亲节了，我想借此机会给所有年幼孩子的父母们送上一份温柔的提醒：你们自己，同样也是值得被关注与爱护的。
在育儿的过程中，我们往往把绝大部分精力都花在了确保家里的其他人都能得到照料、支持、温饱、安慰与关爱上。在忙碌于这一切的同时，我们很容易忽略这样一个事实：你自己的身心健康，同样值得被重视。
在本周的博客文章中，让我们一起来聊聊“自我关怀”这个话题吧。
你可以在 Apple Podcasts 上收听，在 YouTube 上观看，或者在你常用的任何播客平台上订阅收听。
此外，我还想送上几条提醒，希望它们能伴随你度过这充满意义的一周：
• 自我关怀并不需要做到尽善尽美，也不一定非得花大价钱。有时候，它仅仅意味着在咖啡还温热时把它喝完；走到户外呼吸几口新鲜空气；静坐五分钟享受片刻宁静；又或者只是安安心心地洗个澡，不再匆匆忙忙。哪怕是这些微小的瞬间，也同样意义非凡。
• 你无需独自承担这一切。如果感到压力沉重、喘不过气，请务必向你信任的人寻求帮助。请明确地告诉大家，什么样的支持对你才是真正有帮助的——无论是帮忙照看孩子、准备饭菜、跑腿办事，还是仅仅有人过来问候一声、关心一下你的近况。
• 社区互助的力量至关重要。育儿有时会让人感到极度的孤立无援。无论是通过网络还是现实生活，去寻找那些能给予你支持、心态稳健的人吧——他们的存在会提醒你：在这个充满挑战的育儿旅途中，你绝非孤军奋战。
• 你的孩子也会从你关爱自己的方式中学到东西。当他们看到你在休息、在设定界限、在寻求帮助、在关注并满足自己的情感需求时，他们便会明白：这些行为都是非常重要且有益于身心健康的。
• 帮助与支持无处不在。当你在极度疲惫、感到不堪重负、焦虑不安或情感枯竭时，坚持育儿确实是一件极其艰难的事。心理咨询、互助小组、值得信赖的人际关系，有时甚至包括药物辅助，都能成为给予你有效关怀与支持的有力途径。
最重要的是，请牢记这一点：
你无需做到事事完美，也能成为一位优秀的父母。
在这个母亲节周里，请对自己温柔以待。
致以最诚挚的问候，
Huiying Jessica Tull