Parent & Professional Care, Self-Love & You

Hey, it's true! Parents and professionals need love and care too, from others and from ourselves. Those of us parenting, supporting or caregiving for children, youth and families who've experienced trauma and the foster care system need all the help, compassion and empathy we can get. Sometimes we can feel stuck; it can be hard to remember that we are not alone. We are in this with you! Please also reference our Attachment, Couples & Caregiving, Grief & Loss, Mindfulness, Play, Resource Parent Grief, and Trauma pages for more resources.

Graphic courtesy of magical artist paulahansen002@gmail.com.

Websites

Brené Brown
PACEs Connection
- en español
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Center for Youth Wellness
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Post Adoption Depression - many articles
Parent Self Care
Self Compassion with Dr. Kristin Neff

Recommended Books & Articles

Self-Care & Compassion-related Materials in ORPARC's library include Self-Compassion: Helping Parents Feel Connected to Themselves (DVD) by Robyn Gobbel, Grief, Gratitude & Grit (DVD) and Navigating Blocked Care: Support for Parents & Helping Professionals (DVD) by Jessica Sinarski

3 Steps to Help With Regret From Fostering or Adopting by Transfiguring Adoption
Adoption from Foster Care: Advice From a Mom Who's Been There by NACAC
A Lesson in Self-Care From Our Children by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, author in ORPARC's library
A Letter to the Parent Who Didn't Expect Parenting to Be This Hard by Eileen Devine
Blocked Care: How to Help Discouraged Adoptive Parents Regain Compassion published in Adoption Advocate No. 145 - both professionals & parents will find useful ideas!
Compassion Leads to Happiness by Heather Forbes
Finding the Time and Managing the Toll of Caregiver Trauma by Eileen Devine
Foster Family Self Care by State of Wisconsin
Give Yourself Grace by Kristin Meekhof
Grief in Parenting Kids with Vulnerable Nervous Systems by Robyn Gobbel, author in ORPARC's library
Grounding Activities by Julianne Chapman, MSW, LCSW
Help! I'm Not Sure I Can Love This Child! by Creating a Family
Help My Child is Changing Me by Jessica Sinarski, author in ORPARC's library
Holistic Self Care with TBRI by Encourage Foster Care
How Our Emotional Wounds Sabotage Our Parenting and What to Do About It by Beth Tyson, LLC, author in ORPARC's library
How to Transform Shame with Self Compassion by NICABM (infographic)
Oprah Winfrey's Top Ten Rules for Self Love
Parent Burnout? Six Kind Practices You Can Use to Lift Yourself When You Feel Down by Hand in Hand
Post Adoption Depression by Creating a Family
Press Pause by Jessica Sinarski, author in ORPARC's library
Resources on Practicing Kindness by SPARK Kindness
Self Care & Goals by Michelle Swan, person/parent with autism
Self Care Barriers & Basics for Foster & Adoptive Parents by NACAC
Self Care for Foster & Adoptive Families by Chaos & The Clutter
Self-Care A-Z: Self-Care Can Be Needed Most When You Least Expect It by Corrina Holmes, BSW (for professionals)
Self-Discipline is Self Care by Michelle Halle, LCSW
Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Foster & Resource Families by Strengthening Families
The Single Most Important Skill a Foster Parent Can Hone if They're In It for the Long Haul by Fostering Great Ideas
This Isn't What I Signed Up For: 5 Ways to Address Parent Despair by Eileen Devine
Wellbeing Tips, Strategies & More by Beyond Blue
What is (Really) In My Control and What to Do When Life is Hard by Jessica Sinarski, author in ORPARC's library
A Lesson In Self Care From Our Children by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, author in ORPARC's library
Why is Self Care Especially Important for Foster & Resource Parents? by KVC West Virginia

Culturally Specific

Asian Mental Health Collective
Indigenizing Your Self Care by Wernative
Native Wellness Institute
Racial Stress & Self Care by RESilience, APA
Radical Self Care by Kerry Ann Rockquemore
Reigniting Your Fire: Indigenous Ways to Refuel Your Spirit by My Native Sisters Fire
Reimagining Self Care for Black Folks by Mental Health America
Resources for Self Care - BIPOC by Harvard University
Self Care for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Self Care for Parents of Color by Parents Together
Self Care Tips: Movement & Emotional Intelligence by Flawless
Strategies for Healing by Dr. Marlene Watson
Tips for Self Care for Black Families by On Our Sleeves

Community Care

What is Community Care? by Minaa B., Well+Good

Videos & Podcasts

7 Ways for Parents to Relieve a Stressed-Out Brain by The Adoption Connection Podcast
Being Kinder to Yourself by Greater Good Science Center (video)
Called to Courage by Brené Brown (video)
The Compassion Challenge for the Discouraged Adoptive Parent by The Adoption Connection (video)
How To Re-Think Self Care by The Honestly Adoption Podcast
Let's Talk: Put On Your Air-Mask, Self Care Through the Holidays by Minnesota Adopt (podcast)
Post Adoption Depression: Causes & Prevention by Creating a Family (podcast)
Self-Compassion Will Change Your Brain by Robyn Gobbel (article & podcast)
Vicarious Trauma and Self Care with Jessica Sinarski by CASA Delaware Live (podcast)
What Does It Take to Fill Your Cup? by A Fostered Life (video)
When Parenting is Traumatic by Robyn Gobbel (article & podcast)

Top Ten Rules for Self Love by Oprah

If Oprah can do it, you can too!

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