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I'm a Parent
Parenting a Young Child: Taking Care of YourselfYoung Children: 5 Year Olds

Introduction

How quickly the years fly by! As your child begins school, their world expands and a new adventure begins. You may find yourself celebrating this new chapter in their life, or you might find their growing independence a challenge.

On this page, you’ll find some ideas to take time for yourself and support your child as your role changes.

Taking care of yourself

As your child begins school, their world expands and a new adventure begins. You may find yourself celebrating this new chapter in their life, or you might find their growing independence a challenge. It might be hard for both of you to learn how to be separated from each other. You may worry about them eating their lunch or how they’re going to manage with taking the bus. It may seem hard to believe, but your young child will learn to do all these things and more. All the time and effort you have spent with your child in the early years has prepared them to be ready to move into the bigger world.

It might be hard for both of you to learn how to be separated from each other. You may worry about them eating their lunch or how they’re going to manage with taking the bus. It may seem hard to believe, but your young child will learn to do all these things and more. All the time and effort you have spent with your child in the early years has prepared them to be ready to move into the bigger world.

Take time for yourself

  • Enjoy having some extra time to focus on yourself and your interests.
  • Take a class or go for coffee with a friend.
  • Meet other parents at your child’s school—talk about your new experiences.
  • Check to see if flexible work arrangements are possible for you to be able to drop off or pick up your child from school, to attend school events, or for sick days.
  • Try not to let your work commitments take over family time outside of school and work hours.
  • Continue to explore ways to self-regulate for more effective parenting, better relationships at home and work and for your own health and happiness as well.

“If there’s one piece of advice I would give it would be that, while you’re taking care of your family, don’t forget to nurture the relationship with your partner. Your children will benefit just as much as you both will.”

~Shalla, mom of two children

Your changing role

Your role as a parent is changing too, and the next few years will be a time of adjustment. As a parent, up until now, you’ve been your child’s protector, nurturer and teacher. Now you also become their advocate, coach and counsellor.

As your child becomes more independent, it may seem like they challenge you more and listen to you less. They have more people who influence them now, including new friends and teachers. As they learn about other people’s ways of doing things, it’s natural for them to question more things. They’re developing ideas of their own.

Throughout their life, your child will benefit from warmth and structure. Your child still needs to be shown how important they are to you, although the way you show them may change as they grow. Your child still needs comfort and direction from you. You’re still a very important person in their life.

Once your child starts school, they’ll need to think things through and solve their own problems using the skills you’ve taught them during these first 5 years. You can help them continue to build on these skills when you provide loving guidance so they can figure out their own solutions. They may need a lot of help coming up with ideas at first, but with practice, they’ll soon be solving small problems on their own. Let them know that you’ll always be there when they need you.

You can support your child as their world expands by:

  • talking to them about what interests them
  • meeting their friends
  • getting involved in their school and other activities in whatever ways you can—get to know their teacher, read newsletters, go to school and sports events or volunteer in your child’s class, on their sports team or in the community
  • connecting with love and being interested in what they have to say when they return home
  • being there to comfort them when they need you
  • helping them figure out how to solve problems on their own

“When our son was first born, it seemed like each day was a year, but these early years went by so fast! I know the changes are just beginning, but I feel like we are prepared knowing that he is off to a good start!”

~Hope, mom of one child

Just as the early years are foundational for your child’s healthy development, they’re also foundational for your life as a parent. Continue to:

  • explore each stage as your child grows
  • learn about typical child development for all the stages to come
  • provide the warmth and structure your child needs to flourish

Transitions will be smoother when you’re prepared with skills and information. Honour your child’s uniqueness and celebrate their successes, no matter how big or how small. You’re the most important person in your child’s life—continue to build on the skills you have learned and you’ll be much more prepared for what is to come.

“It was an amazing experience as a parent watching my baby go from the newborn stage to learning to walk and talk and then to starting school. There were some challenges, but mostly it was so rewarding to watch this tiny person grow and learn. There were so many changes in such a short period of time. I can’t wait to see what the next stages bring!”

~Nicole, mom of two children