Helping yourself, to support your child

Looking after yourself is vital!

To ensure that you can carry on supporting your child during a time of difficulty, it is vital to ensure that you look after your own mental and physical wellbeing. This will help ensure you have enough mental and physical energy, and stamina, to manage the challenges that you and your family may encounter.

Key actions in self-care:

Understand what is happening: Talk to your GP and other professionals involved in your child’s care.
Keep your needs in mind: Don’t forget about yourself.
Maintain a balance: Ensure that you engage in other areas of your life e.g. social life, leisure time.
Know what helps you: Everyone is different, find activities that are stress-busting for you.
Take care of your own health: Eat well, sleep well, exercise, link in with your own GP.

Mind your assets:

Ensure that your assets (the things that, when kept in line, help you to manage daily stresses) are protected so as to not add further pressure to you:

Physical assets e.g. health, energy, stamina.
Social assets e.g. social networks, support systems.
Psychological assets e.g. beliefs and values, problem solving skills and self-worth.
Material assets e.g. finances, equipment, tools etc.