Treat Yourself Like a Toddler
Photo Credit: T. Halcomb[/caption]
The tip I would like to share with you today is Treat Yourself Like a Toddler.
Take a moment to think about your favorite toddler. Perhaps you have one right now or you can easily see one at the grocery store or the mall. There have been a few times in my life when I’ve witnessed a toddler breakdown and wished that I could do the same. As adults, we plan for a toddler’s needs. We know when they need to eat, when they need to sleep and when something may be too much for them. If a toddler is sick, we do not hesitate to call the doctor. Sadly, as adults, we quickly stop thinking about our needs and often find ourselves grumpy, angry and easily annoyed with everything. How many times in your adult life have you not eaten breakfast or any meal because you didn’t feel you had time? Do you regular push yourself past your bedtime because you feel you will accomplish more but then wake up the next morning exhausted and cranky? Unfortunately, as adults we tend to stop focusing upon our needs. Particularly, women often view themselves as selfish if they take time. Sadly, not taking time can lead to many other problems on an emotional and physical level. Here are some things I want you to consider:- If your toddler is sick, you don’t hesitate in going to the doctor. As an adult, we often push through thinking we know how to medicate and we don’t have time.
- When your toddler becomes cranky and moody, you often go into another room and attempt to soothe them. As adults, we rarely remove ourselves from situations and often hold these emotions in.
- Adults plan for toddler’s snacks and meals. Rarely does a parent leave the house without a variety of snacks and something to drink. Many adults do not think about their hungry needs throughout the day and may eat irregularly or not at all.
- We encourage toddlers to have a bedtime routine. Adults often neglect any type of bedtime routine.
- Parents find it important to schedule toddler playdates but adults can often go months without seeing their friends.
- I make sure that I eat on a regular basis. Each day I make sure to have a variety of snacks (almonds, a piece of fruit or paleo bar) in addition to my lunch.
- I’ve established a more regular bedtime routine. This also includes shutting off electronics at a certain time each night.
- I have become better in knowing my limits and not forcing myself to do things I don’t have time for or simply don’t want to do. I’ve learned that saying no is as important as saying yes.
Take sometime today to think of yourself as a toddler. What do you need? Are you tired? Have you eaten like you should? Do you need some time for play?
Your inner toddler is as important as any other toddler in your life.
Are you able to treat yourself like a toddler?
Try This at Home is a weekly series focusing upon tips and suggestions to make your life easier and happier.
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Such a wonderful post, Sheryl! Taking care of ourselves is often put on the back burner once we have a family of our own. Now that my daughter is a teenager and more independent I take the time to take care of myself more and more.
I, too, have established an earlier bedtime routine, turning off electronics at least one hour prior to going to bed. I eat regularly and make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day.
This is such an inspiration! Thank you!
Thank you Chrissy! I’m so glad to hear that you’ve developed good habits. It’s a process but we end up feeling better for it.
I definitely snack all day, just like my nieces and nephews do 🙂
I need to be better about going to the doctor. I just delayed one situation and would have been much better off had I not just gone in to begin with. I think it’s so easy to neglect ourselves, but this is a good reminder for self care!
I’m in need of making some doctor’s appointments too. Life gets busy and we always think we don’t have time – the reality is we need to make the time.
This is awesome! You’re so right, if we treated ourselves like toddlers, we would take a lot better care of ourselves. You can’t just let a toddler hang out and forget to feed them…that’s for sure. 😉
It’s so funny that as adults we easily skip meals or stay up too late. We are just as important as everyone else.
You poor thing! I have been suffering from these southern allergies too, Sheryl! The worst! Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Emily. I think it was so bad because we had been away and the trees were in bloom. Slowly feeling like myself again.
I love this, of course! I am SO bad at taking care of myself: I put off going to the doctor and don’t get enough rest, among other things. And I’ve been struggling with allergies the past week, too. Well all spring, really. Hopefully the rain will help this week! Hope you feel better!
I’m finally feeling better but this kicked my butt big time!! We all put off things but we have to start remembering we are worth taking care of!!
Sheryl, this is such a great way of looking at self care!! Everything you said is so true, and I’m guilty of not looking after myself properly at times. Sleep is the think I have most trouble with, as I begrudge having to go to bed when I’d rather stay up later! But, I have to talk to myself and be firm because I know if I stay up too late I’ll suffer for it the next day. I also admit to skipping meals when I’m busy or grabbing food on the run that’s not so good for me. Glad to find your blog via the SITS girls! Linda. 🙂
Linda, I’ am so glad you stopped by. I think everyone can admit to struggling with the same things you mentioned here. We simply have to remember that we need to care for ourselves like we would a loved one. You deserve to treat yourself well. I hope you will stop by again soon.
I always struggle with this, and you’re right, I go out of my way to do these things for Kane. Thanks for the reminder that we need to ultra-pamper ourselves sometmes.