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Self-care Awareness Week - Shout out to the single mums!

23/11/2020 443 Views Parenting Add to Favourite 3 Comments 10
 
Last week saw the very much needed self-care awareness week take place and I am really pleased that this initiative exists because self-care is so crucial for all of us, especially as this horrific pandemic continues. However, as I read all the tips and guidance promoting better self-care, I couldn't help but feel that many of these otherwise excellent suggestions are probably completely unachievable for single mothers. They're juggling work, household chores and looking after their children and the younger the children are, the harder it would be. They may live far away from family and friends so have no respite on that front and there may be no contact with the other parent for many reason. Add to that the very real, very common possibility that the mother may well be a BAME woman who is a victim of abuse and who has been disowned by her family for leaving an abusive relationship and we have complete isolation. 

How easy is it for them to then take fifteen minutes to meditate, have a bubble bath or read a book that isn't related to their children's homework? Or go for a walk on their lunch breaks when that lunch break is the only free time they have to do online grocery shopping in peace? 

So as much as we need awareness of the importance of self-care, we also need awareness of the very real fact that not everyone can take time out for self-care and may need a helping hand. In the meantime, the only single parent inclusive suggestion I could think of was a lovely mug of hot chocolate but hopefully others have better suggestions which they will share! 

And finally, a huge shout out to all the single parents (especially single mums) - you are amazing! 
NazminA

Lawyer specialising in Residential Development, Estate Management & General Infrastructure, and Co-Chair of Muslim Women's Network UK (All views & opinions expressed on MWN Hub are my own and unless expressly stated, should not be taken to represent the views of MWNUK)

 

3 Comments

  • Wn

    17/12/2020

    Salam I would like to make a new thread related to this subject but I don't have option to do it on my account. Please can you advise me how?

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    • mwnhub

      20/12/2020

      W'Salam. If you click on the forum page and then click 'create post' at the top of that page then you should be able to start your own thread as it is a feature available for all. Please do let us know if you have any issues however: contact@mwnhub.com

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  • GrannyBibi

    23/11/2020

    This is very sad and very true, especially when you think of those single mums who also care for other members of their family too and so have double the responsibility. Even if they do manage to find an hour spare, whether because your children fell asleep or a relative has taken them for the day, they end up using that time to get ahead of chores just so they can be slightly less stressed and spend some quality time with the children. But their own self care? Never a priority.

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