You need to look after yourself. I know you know that, but are you actually doing it? Because looking after yourself isn’t selfish. When you’re a parent you need to make sure that you take time out for yourself as an individual. It’s important. Really important.
Don’t think that it’s being selfish, I have no idea why people, especially women think that if they do something for themselves that it’s being selfish, because it’s not! Get yourself a hobby that you can go off and do something by yourself or with a group of friends. It’s just so important for you to re-charge your batteries to listen to your soul, because if you don’t do that, you will stagnate and then you won’t be happy because you’ll be overloaded with that list of stuff to do and while you’re busy doing it all you’ll grow resentful because you’re burn yourself out. Completely. And have a think when you get to that point where you can’t get out of bed, what good are you going to be?

Taking time out for yourself is imperative to your overall well-being. And instead of thinking of it as selfish, think of it as teaching your children that it is OK to take time out for yourself. You are teaching your daughters that when they get into a relationship that it is perfectly alright for them to do things for themselves and you are teaching your sons that it’s quite normal for their partner to go off and do something for herself. If you continue to ‘do it all’ (and I’m not talking single parents here) then you are teaching your daughters that women have to do everything and your sons that they can sit back and their partner can do it all. Teach your children to be self-sufficient adults. That’s important.

When you’re partner and children see that you respect yourself then you will gain more respect. Treat yourself like a slave and so will they.

If you’re a single parent, ask for help, as you’re children get older they are able to do more around the house and it’s not slave labour – again, you’re teaching them to be self-sufficient adults! If someone offers to have the kids for a few hours – take it! Treat yourself to some peace and quiet. Put your feet up, have a cup of tea, take a walk through the bush or along the beach, but don’t go home and do the bloody cleaning!
You will feel better for looking after yourself, for recharging your batteries and listening to your soul telling you what it needs at this point in time.

You’re not being selfish. Not at all. You are treating yourself just as you would treat those that you care about and that should include you. So go on, lock some time in your diary that is just for you. Enjoy.