Let yourself rest

“Let yourself rest.” Yesterday was not a great day for me. My older kiddo was having a hard time all day. He’s 3, so his hard times were inspired by things like and including being told he couldn’t have an m&m cookie at the cafe we weren’t at because it was almost dinner and they were closed and DID I MENTION WE WEREN’T EVEN THERE?!? His hard time meant everyone else was also having a hard time. As he tantrumed, I wished I could mind-meld and tell him to allow himself to rest. To just stop kicking and screaming and soak up the love all around him and let his body and spirit replenish themselves. Last night, after that rough day, my husband and I tried to analyze what went wrong and I dove deep into Google to learn how to parent better and I generally felt like a failure of a mother and a human being. Amidst the swirl of those unhelpful thoughts, I had one good one. That one from earlier in the day: Let yourself rest. And, in the spirit of #radicalselfcare, I decided to take it.⁣

let yourself rest

Published by Emily P.G. Erickson

Emily P.G. Erickson is a freelance writer specializing in mental health and parenting. She has written for popular digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Parents, Romper, WIRED, and more. Emily is a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ). Previously, Emily researched PTSD for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and earned a master's in psychology. You can find the latest from Emily at www.emilypgerickson.com.

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