Are you a parent who just can't seem to shake how tired you feel? Do you have trouble being the energetic parent that you envision yourself being? None of us parents are perfect and we all make mistakes. Part of being a great parent is making mistakes and learning from them, or recognizing the mistakes that our own parents made and vowing not to repeat the pattern. A huge portion of being able to reach out and be a good parent is being able to love and take good care of yourself. I know, where is the time right? Between meal making, homework, trips to the doctor, and dance practice, where is there time for yourself?

There is a very simple answer to the question about when there might be time for a parent to take some time to pamper themselves. You need to make time! If you are a single parent, find someone you trust to watch your children for a few hours so that you can exercise or meditate. If you are one of those TV watchers that puts the kids to bed and relaxes by watching your favorite reality shows, purchase an elliptical and watch the Bachelor while you take care of your body! If you don't know anyone that could watch your children, join the YMCA, where they usually have babysitting services attached to the membership.

What types of things can you do as a parent to take care of yourself? Well, there are so many things you can do to not only pamper yourself but actually find yourself again. Many parents seem to lose themselves for a while when they get wrapped up in their childrens' lives. This is normal, but one day you will wake up and forget who you are. This can be quite a depressing experience and can be avoided if you approach parenthood with a goal of keeping the balance. If you have to skip some time with your children to make yourself better, you will be a better parent in the long run than if you chose to ignore your needs time and time again. So, what sort of amazing things can you do? They need not be amazing. Something as simple as lighting candles, putting on soothing music, and taking a bubble bath can make your life more meaningful and special. Believe me, there are parents out there who forget about something this simple. Here are just some of the things you can do without your kids to satisfy your inner needs and make you feel more human:

• Exercise:Whether you take up mountain biking, taebo, yoga, jogging, or strength training, you will be taking care of your body and your mind. Research suggests that exercise creates endorphins that decrease pain and increase feelings of well being. Yes, I know. There are always excuses as to why you can't do this. But one day when you finally venture out and stop the excuses, you will feel the effects that some form of exercise has on your mind, body, and energy level.
• Learn a new hobby:You need to think of some activities you have always wanted to learn or do and sign up for it! This should have nothing to do with your kids and it should be a time that is blocked out just for you, once a week. Some ideas on hobbies could be gardening, guitar lessons, knitting, painting classes, fantasy sports, scrap-booking, ect. The goal is to do something once a week that involves other adults and satisfies your creative need. As a parent, you need time to soak in your own desires.
• Don't forget about your appearance! So many parents forget to get regular pampering at the salon. All of us parents need regular hair cuts, colors, nail treatment, and an occasional head or body massage. Otherwise, you will wake up one day and see a tired person that you do not recognize as your normal vibrant self before children. Parenting is tiring, but you don't have to let it show. Whiten your teeth, use self tanners, and wear some sexy clothes on occasion. Just because you are a mom or dad doesn't mean that you can't still look and feel sexy.
• Speaking of sex,make sure you get regular amounts of it. Even if you are single, you can take care of this yourself. Have you ever had an epiphany one Saturday that you haven't had an orgasm in three weeks? That is way too long! I don't care if you have to rent some steamy movies or read some sexy novels, you must satisfy your sexual needs! Allowing your body to have an orgasm at least three times a week is going to relax you and make you happier in general.
• Visit the doctor frequently: Yes, I know. You know every single detail about your childrens' health histories right down to how many moles they have and what kind of cry means what. But do you know this about yourself? Do you know your blood pressure, cholesterol level, thyroid levels, potassium levels, and your overall health status? Woman need to get yearly paps and physicals and men need to get yearly physicals. You also need to get in to the dentist often. Your children need you to be healthy and you need to be healthy to be a good parent and to simply feel good.
• Let Loose: You don't always have to be the perfect parent. Once a month, leave your kids with your parents for a night and go out and have some wine! Have a nice dinner at a restaurant with other adults and talk about politics, movies, education, or anything but your children. Save the talk about your kids for elementary school gatherings or mommy and me time. Use this time to connect with your adult needs and don't worry about getting a little tipsy. It is also important during this outing to LAUGH a lot and dance if you feel like it.
• Change your career or go back to school: Who cares how old you are or how long you have been in your line of work! If you don't like what you do, it will show and it will affect your everyday energy and spirit. Enroll in college and do what you have always wanted to do. There are so many colleges now that cater to working adults with families. If you can't make it to classes, start an online program. There are some very nice online programs that are accredited and excellent (The University of Maryland being one of the best). You can spend those nights while your children are in bed changing your career goals and educating yourself with a whole new level of knowledge.
• Have FUN with your kids: Yes, this will be GOOD for you. You don't always have to be teaching a lesson or driving them to their things. Sit down and focus on them. Stop what you are doing, don't worry about the chores, don't answer the phone, and just simply enjoy their little personalities. Play a game or read a joke book. Laugh with them. Take a walk with them. Go out for ice cream with them. Have a night filled with popcorn and Shrek, The B-Movie, and Honey I shrunk the Kids. Show them that you can relax with them too.
• Make Music a priority: The whole family is better off if they make music a big part of their lives. You need to purchase an Mp3 player or iPod and download every tune that gives you a fuzzy feeling in your belly. You need the kids to have their own line of music too. When you are doing chores at home, turn on your music! When you are getting ready for a meeting, listen to your music! Music relaxes the soul and makes life happier. So many parents forget about music because they are so wrapped up in a schedule. Music makes the world better.

These suggestions are only a few to help parents relax and smell the roses. If you take care of everything but yourself, you will become one unhappy and bitter being. It is important to remember that the first person you have to love in life is yourself. Yes, your children do come first, but you can't take care of them very well if your well has run dry. So, break out the wine, do some yoga poses, and LAUGH often. Life is too short to deprive yourself of yourself.