Date Night, Guilt-Free: Why Self-Care Makes You a Better Parent

Do you put your children first, and now, you’re realizing that leaves little time or space for you? Are you worrying about your kids when you’re not with them? Maybe you feel guilty for hiring a babysitter and taking time for yourself. You’re not alone.

It’s common for parents to experience guilt when they take time for themselves. But taking care of you is vital to caring for your children.

How Parenting Burnout Can Affect You

Burnout as a parent can lead to a lack of emotional regulation and may result in behavior you don’t want to model for your children. It’s hard to be patient and present when you have multiple children screaming at you for different reasons. You’re only one person, or a parental unit; two can only do so much before burnout runs you down.

Regular self-care can help you avoid burnout by giving you a chance to relax and recharge so that you can keep being the amazing parent you are!

It’s like the rule on the airplanes that we are all a little too busy for, where they tell us that we must put on our own oxygen mask before helping others. You can’t help anyone if you’re unconscious. It’s the same concept with parenting; you can’t be the parent you want to be if you’re constantly running on empty.

Quality Time with Your Partner Strengthens the Family Unit

Studies show that a healthy relationship between parents creates a happier, healthier environment for your children. Date nights don’t need to be special occasions—just intentional time for connection away from parenting duties.

Your children benefit from seeing you both in a happy partnership. You want your kids to remember the love in their childhood home. And you cultivate that memory by demonstrating healthy love with your partner.

Children Benefit from Spending Time with Other Trusted Adults

Having a babysitter can help your children build trust and flexibility with others. This is particularly relevant in social situations and resilience levels as they grow into adulthood.

When you spend time apart from your children, it can build resilience and more independence. Your children are statistically more likely to grow up to be self-sufficient adults. Children with multiple reported trusted adults showed significantly higher levels of resilience.

Learning to play with other adults outside your family is vital for children, particularly as they grow and start school. Babysitters can be a great bridge between interacting with another trusted adult and going to school, and trusting school staff.

Even Short Breaks Can Make a Big Impact

Self-care doesn’t have to be a vacation away or an all-day spa day; it can be as simple as a dinner date. The importance of taking time away, either alone or with your partner, is to give your nervous system a chance to regulate and reset without worrying about whether Johnny climbed onto the counter again.

When you’re feeling relaxed and recharged, you can appreciate the magical moments with your children that are hard to see through sleep deprivation and burnout.

Learn how to book a babysitter today with San Francisco Sitters

How Our Babysitting Service Makes it Easy

All babysitters at San Francisco Sitters are vetted and trained professionals, ready for last-minute or planned dates. We do our best to match families with consistent sitters so your children feel safe and cared for. See how to book your babysitter today.

Whether it’s a weekly routine or a once-in-a-while treat, we make taking time for you and your partner stress-free!

Learn more about babysitting at San Francisco Sitters to see if we’re a good childcare option for you.