June is a particularly tough month for working parents. There are end-of-the-year events to attend, shifting routines, and, for many, work deadlines to manage. All of this is, well, a lot. The days can feel long and exhausting, and it’s easy to put one’s own needs on the back burner. In fact, making room on packed schedules for “me” time can feel like just another thing to add to the to-do list. 

As early childhood education professionals, trust us: self-care is crucial. When we make time for ourselves, we can be more present for our little ones.  

Here are four  tips for self-care for parents:  

Make time for movement. Exercise not only helps chase away stress, but it can also help improve sleep—a huge benefit for new parents. Exercise can come in many forms—a walk through the neighborhood after bedtime, a 30-minute yoga tutorial from YouTube, or a quick ride on the stationary bicycle before breakfast can do wonders for your mood and energy. 

Call your friends. It’s easy to get so caught up in our frenzied routines and go days, weeks, or months without picking up the phone to call loved ones. Calling a friend is a great way to strengthen bonds and have a cathartic chuckle about the awesome, exhausting experience of parenthood. 

Feed your brain. We spend so much time focusing on the intellectual development of our children that it’s easy to forget to meet our own intellectual needs. Next time you take a trip to the library, take a moment to grab a book for yourself. If you’re more of an audio book listener, the free library app Libby is a great resource. 

Get creative! Expressing creativity feels great, even as adults! Next time your little artist is playing with playdough or coloring a picture, take this opportunity to create your own art! Resist the urge to use the free moment to pay a bill, mop the floor, or any of the other items on the never-ending to-do list. A bonus: creating art together is a great way to connect with your child.  

Making time for yourself is hard, but it’s worth it! Self-care is key to maintaining balance and keeping up energy as you power through summer. Looking for more parenting self-care tips? We found this list pretty helpful.