Best Self Magazine

Being a Good Parent Starts with Being Kind to Yourself

Being a Good Parent Starts with Being Kind to Yourself, by Holly Schaeffer. Photograph of mother exercising with child watching by Puhhha
Photograph by Puhhha

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Putting your kids first is a selfless act of love, but honoring your own needs and self-care is also in their best interests

I’ve heard it so many times: “good parents put their children first.” And, if you had asked me ten or fifteen years ago, I would have said I absolutely agree.

But here’s the thing. Since becoming a mother, I’ve learned that being a good parent requires happiness, contentedness, and a whole lot of self-care. Yes, putting our kids first is a selfless act of love that shows just how committed we are to giving them everything we think they deserve. But there’s no excuse for thinking that being a good parent means neglecting our own needs and wellbeing.

In truth, what

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