No matter the amount of time you’ve clocked in this parenting business, one thing you’d realize is that it’s a lifetime of sacrifices! I hate to be the one to break it to you but if you’re a new parent…it never really stops – your object of sacrifice just changes. So at a time you’re giving up your precious sleep and at another time, it’s your clothes, shoes, perfumes, car, money and sleep again (with all those night moves *ahem*)…It just never ends and to be perfectly honest it can sometimes seem like all the sacrifices go unnoticed and unappreciated.

To keep from getting resentful and threatening to “disown” the children, it’s important we make time out for ourselves and like Stephen Covey put it, “Sharpen the Saw”.

As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day and as we at RAVE Et Al continue in our quest to make kindness go viral, please join us in celebrating one very special person today – YOU! Take time out to deliberately be kind to yourself. Appreciate the great job you’ve done in raising your child. Even if they aren’t where you thought they would be, give yourself some credit for the fact that you are doing your best. Say something kind and encouraging to yourself; Put a pause on that negative recording that has been playing in your head. Give yourself permission to have some “me” time and enjoy every second of it without feeling guilty because not only do you deserve it, you need to get rejuvenated for the journey ahead.

Remember, without you, there can be no YOU and your family needs YOU and they need the best YOU there can be! Celebrate yourself…Be kind to yourself…Love yourself.

Happy Valentine’s Day!