On Self-Care Day, we want to take a moment to recognize how hard caregivers work; often putting everyone else’s needs first. If you’re exhausted, stretched thin, or just doing your best to get through the day, you’re not alone. Self-care doesn’t have to be another task on your list. It’s about finding small moments of kindness for yourself, in whatever way is possible for you. 

1. Self-Care Isn’t One More Thing You “Should” Do 

We know life is busy and full. Real self-care isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving yourself permission to pause, breathe, and acknowledge that your needs matter too. Whether that means sitting quietly for five minutes, talking to someone you trust, or just drinking your coffee while it’s still warm. Those moments count.   

2. Small, Realistic Ways to Care for Yourself 

Not everyone has access to time, money, or help. That’s okay. Self-care can be: 

• Taking a deep breath before you respond to a stressful moment 

• Saying something kind to yourself when you feel like you’re not doing enough 

• Letting go of something non-essential today 

• Asking, “What do I need right now?” even if you can’t meet it yet 

3. You’re Teaching Strength, Not Perfection 

When you take care of yourself in small ways, your children notice. They learn that being strong doesn’t mean never needing help — it means listening to your body, your emotions, and knowing when to rest. That’s a powerful lesson.   

4. We’re Here to Support You 

At Maine Children's Home, we understand that family life can be joyful, messy, beautiful, and hard, sometimes all at once. That’s why we offer family-focused programs for especially vulnerable populations. No matter who you are, you don’t have to do it alone. 

So today, on Self-Care Day, we honor all that you do, and we gently invite you to honor yourself, too. Not perfectly. Not all at once. Just in small, human ways. You deserve care, just like everyone else in your family.