Module 2 explores one of the hardest things for parents to accept when their child is struggling: you still need looking after too. Many parents push their own needs aside, tell themselves they’ll rest “when things calm down,” or feel guilty for taking even a moment to breathe. This module helps you break that cycle.

Here, we redefine self-care as something practical and necessary — not indulgent, not selfish, and not something that requires hours you don’t have. We look at why parents often feel guilty for prioritising themselves, how that guilt develops, and how to challenge it with more balanced, realistic thinking.

You’ll learn simple, manageable ways to recharge even on the hardest days, why “micro self-care” matters, and how to put small boundaries in place to protect your time, energy, and emotional space. No grand routines, no impossible tasks — just realistic ways to keep yourself going.

By the end of this module, you’ll understand how caring for yourself strengthens your ability to care for your child, and why your well-being is a crucial part of their recovery.

This self help audio guide has been produced for East London NHS Foundation Trust and was written and narrated by Mark Taylor - Lead Mental Health Nurse, North Bedfordshire CAMHS Service.