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The Importance of Parental Self Care [Podcast Episode 007]

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All too often a parent gets so focused on the well-being and health of their children that they neglect themselves. A parent feels that the needs of their child is more important than their own. They fail to recognize that taking care of themselves will ensure that they have what they need to parent their child well.

 

How can we as parents take care of ourselves when we have so many demands on our time, emotions, and mental energy so that we can be fully present for our kids?

Listen to my conversation with Robyn Gobbel, LCSW as we discuss this very important topic. Robyn is a licensed clinical social worker and physcho-therapist. She speaks and trains often on this subject. In this interview she not only helps us understand the importance of self care, but she also offers practical tips and ideas.

Want to learn more from Robyn? Here is where you can find more helpful resources and how to contact Robyn:

http://www.gobbelcounseling.com

Central Texas Attachment and Trauma Center – http://centraltexasattachmenttrauma.com

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About the Author

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I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 35 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012.
As a small business and nonprofit coach/consultant, I have found my sweet spot. I lean on my varied background of corporate, small business ownership, writing, and pastoring as I work to help small business owners and nonprofit founders build the business they want to have.


  • I really appreciate your book, and the podcasts. Probably the hardest thing is the self care, and being an older parent, specifically a grandparent adopting grandparents. When I was younger, I had more support to a degree in the sense of people who were doing life together and we would occasionally get together. Now, I’m finding it hard to even find other parents who are available to get together because of work, and activities. The grandparents are the respite care. In the state where I am located, 34% of all foster care are the grandparents. And they are given no real training to understand what is going on with their children’s behavior. I along with a couple of other mothers have started an adoption/foster care/kinship care support group. The majority of the group are grandparents. We are showing the TBRI series because the parents don’t know the why of their children’s behavior, and facilitating discussion of what is happening in their homes. But, we also struggle with enough time to just talk. I would loveThe church/group provides childcare, but the hardest piece of this support group is childcare once a month to give our parents a break. We no longer have the energy to child swap. The question I am asked the most is “Where is good childcare, babysitters?” I don’t know….and if the grandparents are old enough, and under certain circumstances will qualify for a couple of hours of care. That is not a guarantee. Our kids are harder to manage. I have grandparents who are in their late 60’s and mid seventies caring for great grandchildren so their children could be in familiar surroundings instead of in the home of a stranger. They do this out of love for their grands. God did call us to manage this adoption support group, but it is a battle to have the Church involved too. I wish we had the resources you talked about in the state of Texas. I’m glad you do. It was encouraging to me to hear you discuss with Robin Gobbel the possibility of online resources. In the area where I live, we have three counselors who are trauma informed in a two hour driving distance. One happens to be in my hometown. But all three counselors have long waiting lists, or insurance doesn’t cover, or other reasons. I would love to have a group where we could just get together and talk, but unless we are having training, we can’t have childcare. I see the hunger of connection, and the two hour breather once a month, and the comprehension of what is happening with their kids. I also see the exhaustion, and I do see hope to keep on for another month because of the understanding they are not alone. Keep up the good work, it’s so important.

    • Hi Joanne. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us. As an “older” foster and adoptive parent, I understand the energy part of the equation. I do hope that you check out Robyn’s website if you have not already. Please stay in touch.

      • Thank you Kenneth, I will stay in contact. I know this journey, and God has called us to adopt our grands, but He also called us to manage the support group. It is a calling for both. So your resources, and the info you give is vital to our group. Your feedback is important too. I’ve started new ministries before, but this group is the most challenging, and has the most pieces. I just jump in as directed by Him, and learn as I go, and trust as I go, and push through as I go. It’s sorta like Pray, Obey, and Sit Back And Watch The Movie. I appreciate your support. Joanne

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