We work so hard to make sure all of our kids’ boxes are checked every day:

Play outside: Yep.

Schoolwork: Done.

Free time: Plenty.

Listening ear: Granted.

Fruit: Demolished.

Veggies: Offered.

Undivided attention: Given.

Books: Read and reread.

But when it comes to ourselves, we can’t muster the energy to move off the couch, eat a full meal outside of our kids’ leftovers, or respond to the writing prompt in our five-minute journal. Why is that? Why are we so great about making sure our kids’ lives are balanced, but not-so-great at remembering our boxes and what nourishes our souls?

According to studies, parents spend five hours each day worrying about their children and just 32 minutes doing what they want.

Here’s what’s important about this…the less we care about ourselves, the less we’re able to care for them well. When our kids move beyond our everything to our only thing, we risk becoming demanding, short-tempered, and self-loathing. Let’s start checking our own boxes too.

Here are 5 quick tips on how to make time for yourself:

In the shower, on your porch, on the way to grab groceries-—use these little moments to plan and dream. 

Set a timer and zone out, listen to music and sing from memory. 

Go for a walk, go for a drive, send your family away for the afternoon, saying, with a smile, “I don’t care where you go, but you can’t stay here.” 

Call a friend, plan a game night with your spouse, schedule regular meetups with your favorite pals.

Revive an old hobby, pick up a new one, pair a gripping audiobook with a boring chore.

If you don’t remember anything else, remember this: you are a human, too, friend. And, you owe it to yourself to do the things that make you feel alive.

Intentional prayers for every phase.

Each phase of a kid’s life offers unique circumstances that require plenty of prayers. Our prayer cards will help you pray intentionally during every phase of parenting. Each card focuses on a different characteristic of God and scripture reference, with one card for each month of the year.