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I'm a Parent
Parenting a Preschooler: Taking Care of YourselfPreschoolers: 3 and 4 Year Olds

Introduction

On this page, you’ll find ideas to make the most of your family time – like sharing your values and priorities and putting media away.

You’ll get a different view on life when you see the world through your child’s eyes. Discover how being a parent gives you the chance to learn more about yourself as you look back on your own childhood.

Taking care of yourself

You’ll get a different view on life when you see the world through your child’s eyes. Being a parent gives you the chance to learn more about yourself as you look back and learn from your own childhood. You can choose to keep the positive things you learned from being parented as a child—the things that helped you learn and grow. You can also choose to let go of things that you now realize might not have been very helpful for you.

As a parent, you can discover or re-discover your patience, humour and creativity when you look at the world through the eyes of your child. You have a chance to develop a deep bond with your child that will help prepare them for a lifetime of healthy relationships with you and other important people in their lives. Your parenting is making a lasting and valuable contribution to society both now and in the future. You cannot measure just how valuable and important a parent’s role is!

Parenting can take a lot of your time and energy, so be sure to make time for yourself and others as well. If you parent with someone else, make sure you each have time to follow your own interests, even if it’s only for an hour or so every week. If you’re parenting on your own, see if family or friends can help or look for programs in the community where child care is provided. When you spend time with your child and your family, you show them that they’re important. When you also take time for yourself, you’ll have the energy to enjoy being with your family and having fun.

Make the most of your time:

  • Focus on what’s most important to you. Take time to do things you enjoy.
  • Set your priorities. Notice when you’re starting to do too much. You may need to say “No” to some activities in the community.
  • Let others know your values and priorities. This will help them understand your needs.
  • Have fun with your family. Family nights, board games, walking the dog, kicking a soccer ball, riding bikes, swimming or skating are activities you can do together.
  • Try to keep your work at your workplace. Put your work and media away during your family time. Explore flexible work arrangements, if and when you can.

Everyone has the occasional bad day. Try not to be too hard on yourself. If you yell or lose your temper, apologize when you’re calm. You’re modelling to your child that everyone makes mistakes and can take steps to make things right. However, if you notice this happening frequently, get help to identify what is bothering you and what you can do about it.

Practice self-regulation

Be aware of how stress affects your body and thoughts and what you can do to self-regulate. Practice self-regulation throughout your day so that you can be in a calmer state when you’re with your children. Continue to make notes about the things that trigger your stress response and add to the list of things that you can do about it. Your children need you to be calm, alert and caring when you’re together. Learn more about the stress response and self-regulation.

Outings don’t need to be expensive

Try to do things together. It can be as simple as going for a nature walk or going to the library.

Check out community facilities such as swimming pools and museums. Many have reduced or no cost admissions at different times in the year.

“I love having a preschooler. I feel so comfortable as a parent now. I feel like I totally understand my child. He can talk to me and usually co-operates with our day-to-day routines. There are tough days, but I feel really confident that we can work things out together.”

~Ben, dad of one child

Self-care for parents