Juggle without the struggle.

How to keep your own life in balance when you’ve got kids.

Parenting can be an exciting and rewarding experience for many people. It can also be exhausting—and stressful.

As much effort as it takes to be a parent, it takes just as much to stay true to who you are as an individual. To stay on top of your whole health, it’s important to maintain a balance between the two. This will not only help improve your own well-being, but it can also help your be more present, patient and intentional with your kids. 

The struggles

• “All we talk about is our kids!” As parents, it’s natural to get super involved in our children’s lives. Once we start becoming friends with parents of other kids, it’s easy to fall into conversations about how your children are doing in school, the blunder the coach made at soccer last weekend or who won’t eat what at dinnertime.
• “Who’s got time?” Between work and kids’ school activities, we parents often have little time to ourselves. We get less sleep, eat on the run and may not exercise as much as we’d like. And while we’re diligent about getting check-ups for our kids, we often put off our own doctor visits.

The solutions

Here are some strategies to help keep you focused and present, at work and at home. And help you stay healthier overall.

• Keep those friends who don’t have kids: You may feel like you’ve got little in common anymore, but it’s important to maintain friendships you had before your kiddos came along.
• Have a “no-kid-talk” date night: Make a pact between you and your partner or friend to not talk about your kids for one night.
• Plan ahead: Schedule time for social activities, whether it’s a monthly coffee date or a weekend get-together. This can help you balance your family commitments while still making time for your friends. 
• Keep a thorough list of babysitters: Whether it’s the teenager next door or a member of your family, always have trusted childcare resources on hand. It’ll be one less excuse for not going to book club or game night with friends.
• Practice self-care: Even if it’s just going for a walk or having your morning java before the rest of the house gets up, focus on yourself for a bit each day. You’ll be better able to care for your family if you take care of yourself first.
• Prioritize your mental health: Here’s an article we like that offers practical tips that can help.

* E-Treatment care is not available in KS, MS, NM, WV, and DC.
**E-Treatment is available 7 days a week from 8 a.m.—10 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays. Response time is typically within an hour.