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Self-care kits for special needs parents is an amazing tool to jump-start and to maintain self-care practices. Prepare for bad days, low moments, or unexpected breaks with self-care kits. Special needs parents anticipate and prepare for so many of their child’s needs. So, let’s use this same strategy in preparing for our own self-care.
What Are Self-Care Kits?
Self-care kits are a collection of activities and items kept in one space for when self-care is needed. Kits can be boxes, or baskets, or a drawer. They can be simple or fancy.
The idea behind self-care kits is the same for everyone – make self-care readily available.
However, the kits themselves are unique for each person.
Why Should You Try Self-Care Kits?
Helps You Get Started
When our self-care is just getting started or has fallen off track, self-care kits for special need parents help you get started focusing on the care without having to put thought and effort in each time.
Helps You Maintain
Having a readily available self-care kit for special needs parents allows you to be more consistent with your care. It is there and ready to use. Also, the preparation is done and you can easily use it daily.
Reduces Decision Fatigue
Have you ever had some time to watch tv and couldn’t find anything to watch? Self-care kits help reduce decision fatigue. You design a box for yourself and when the time comes to use it pick one, a few, or all of the items inside.
Reminds you that Your Self-Care is Important
Self-care kits are like little presents for your future self. You put them together and each time you use them you are giving yourself a gift of time and care.
How Can I Use A Self-Care Kit?
As with many self-care tools and strategies, you will need to experiment with how often you would like to use your kit. You may choose to use it daily, but that could make it feel like a chore or be less special on especially bad days. So, if this is the case, I suggest a daily self-care kit and a special self-care kit for the rough moments.
Self-care kits can evolve with you! Change things up from time to time. For example, add a new essential oil or switch out to a new puzzle book. Also, if you open your kit and are uninspired, you can take out a piece of paper and dream. Jot down all the things that you would like to see when you open your kit. Ask “What would be great?” Start small and then try to add one of those things to your box in the next week.
Creating a Self-Care Kit for Special Needs Parents – Things to Consider
Storage – What and Where
It can often feel as if we no longer have things that our just ours during our special needs parenting journey. Keep your self-care kit in a safe place to avoid disappointment.
Think of where you will be doing your self-care. This is where you would ideally keep the kit for easy access. For example, when possible I like to go take ten minutes in my room and having my kit under my bed ready to use is helpful.
Keeping it Special
Your self-care time is precious, keep things in your kit that are special to this time. For example, have a unique lotion that you only keep in the kit and use during this self-care time. Self-care kits for special needs parents are designed to provide you with something special as you care for yourself.
Keeping it Fresh
To avoid boredom, change things out and put new things in from time to time.
Creating a Self-Care Kit for Special Needs Parents – Some Ideas to Get You Started
- A pair of fuzzy socks
- Aromatherapy through lotion or essential oils
- Lip balm
- Affirmation cards. To get started you may like using this beautiful set of 52 cards. Or you can create your own on pretty paper or index cards). Read more about affirmations and get inspiration in this post: Affirmations for Special Needs Parents.
- A magazine you have been wanting to read
- A nail file and buffer
- Crossword puzzle or sudoku book and a pen
- A journal and pen
- A pack of gum or mints
- A healthy snack
- Cards or pictures that make you smile
Self-Care Kits to Go
What about the times you cannot access your self-care kits? Special needs parents have lots of appointments, errands, and often a job outside of the home. Portable self-care kits to the rescue.
For example, in my car there is a small compartment in between the front seats where I keep a few self-care items. You could also use the glove box or a small zipper bag or box you can keep along the door or near you.
You can also keep a small bag that can slip into your purse can stash a few smaller items for waiting rooms.
Self-Care Kits – Summary
Life can place several challenges and barriers to self-care. So, prepare by having activities readily available in self-care kits. Special needs parents have a lot on their minds. Creating a kit reduces decision fatigue and other friction preventing self-care.
Try some of these ideas out and then let us know what you like to put in your self-care kit in the comments below.
Self-care kits are very helpful when you are busy, tired, or experiencing exhaustion. Find some more ways that can help in Self-Care When You Are Exhausted: Slow and Gentle Self-Care.
Looking for more ideas? Consider adding some unique puzzles and brain teasers for Better Cognitive Self-Care.
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(This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a commission, if you purchase an item through a link, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Genuine recommendations only.)
