Family Connections
Week 3 Topic: Self Care
Did You Know?
Self-Care is vital to our Health!
Make Time for Yourself: A Self-Care Guide for Busy Parents
"Have you ever felt that taking care of yourself comes last? Many parents feel guilty when making time to take care of themselves because they think they should prioritize their family, job, and everything else before taking time for themselves. By the time everyone is fed, teeth are brushed, homework is done, bills are paid, and dishes are done, you may feel that you don’t have much energy left for taking care of yourself. You are not alone in feeling this way. This guide can help you find ways to take care of yourself and be less stressed."
A message to parents from Elmo's Dad
Enjoy these words of encouragement from a Sesame Street friend who understands the importance of self-care for parents.
Explore other resources
Family Connection Activity
Complete these family activities to practice self care with your family.
Track gratitude and achievement with a journal. Include 3 things you were grateful for and 3 things you were able to accomplish each day.
Experiment with a new recipe, write a poem, paint or try a Pinterest project. Creative expression and overall well-being are linked.
Do your best to enjoy 15 minutes of sunshine, and apply sunscreen. Sunlight synthesizes Vitamin D, which experts believe is a mood elevator.
Exploring self-compassion through writing: Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of an unconditionally loving imaginary friend. To see more ideas Self-Compassion Guided Meditations and Exercises, visit: https://self-compassion.org/category/exercises/
3. One of the best ways to practice self-care is by being kind to others. Take on the 50 Days of ❤️Kindness Challenge from Kinder Rockets! Here are community created Kindness Challenge Bingo Boards (English and Spanish). Challenge your family to complete all 50 tasks or any that work for your family. (https://bit.ly/3aYxJ5x)
PSUSD Staff Spotlight
Xochitl Perez, Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) Coordinator
At times, we are challenged by events, situations, and decisions that we may have little to no control over. During those times, it is very easy to succumb to the belief that things will never get better and there will only be grey skies ahead. But by shifting your attention on what you can control, such as looking for the silver lining, being grateful for the small things, focusing your attention and energy on what you are doing right, and improving your gifts and talents; the clouds within will lift. The ability to shift one’s mindset is a skill, which requires daily practice through self-reflection, self-compassion, and self-care. In the month of May, we recognize that mental illness is real, mental health disorders afflict young and old alike, and every year children and teens suffer silently from its effects.
Family Connection Partners
May is Mental Health Month
The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified
For more information about Self Care:
NAMI, Why You Struggle with Self Care and Helpline Information
Cyberbullying.org Research Center
ACES Aware Self Care Goal-setting Tool & for adults
Healthy Children , Taking care of yourself during disasters