Even before the pandemic hit, it became popular to prioritize self care.
Suddenly, a little happy hourself carewith your bestie was no longer an option.
Even going for awalkwith your bestie became risky.
You couldnt get a massage or a pedicure or go golfing with your buddies.
Then we started sayinghalf-sarcastically, half-notthat a quick walk (alone) around the neighborhood was self care.
Or a drive around the city (alone) was self care.
Or five minutes locked in the bathroom (alone).
Mere survival became all the self care we could muster.
Oh, Im great, this feels like a vacation, I replied.
Do those activities constitute breaks?
Parents are beyond needing a little extra self care each week; they need actual help.
Pay to get their house professionally cleaned.
Pick up their dirty laundry and return it the next day, clean and folded.
it’s possible for you to do all of those things now, even if (especially if!)
their kids are ages five and three and one.
Offer to help in whatever safe, socially-distanced way everyone is comfortable with.
Drop off dinners or groceries.
Ask them what they need.
Dont believe them if they say nothing.
Theydoneed something, they just dont know what, or how to ask.
They need self care, yes, and hopefully 2021 brings them some of that.
But in the meantime, what they mostly need, is help.
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