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- 💠Why parents deserve a break sometimes
💠Why parents deserve a break sometimes
Monday 5/18 Afternoon Dedicated: Sponsored by Care.com
Lauren Lagasse
May 18, 2026
Welcome to Monday Afternoon! Today, we're chatting about:
Do you need a break from your kids?
How to find a babysitter you can trust
Why Time Away From Your Kids Can Be Healthy
A lot of parents carry guilt around taking time for themselves. There is pressure to always be available, always present, and always putting your children first. But constantly running on empty does not help anyone in the long run, especially when stress and burnout start to build quietly over time.
Even short breaks can make a meaningful difference for mental health. A dinner out, an uninterrupted workout, time with friends, or simply a few quiet hours alone can help parents reset and return feeling more patient, present, and emotionally balanced. Time away is not about disconnecting from your kids. It is about reconnecting with yourself, too.
Children benefit from it as well. Seeing parents maintain friendships, hobbies, and healthy routines helps model balance and independence in a positive way.
Can You Trust Your Babysitter?
As parents, it’s natural to worry about leaving your child with a sitter. How do you know your sitter is providing the level of care your child needs? Many parents report canceling plans or skipping vacations due to unreliable child care.
With Care.com, you can search for the best sitter for your child. Before making a choice, you can view a sitter’s profile, read reviews, and chat or schedule a video interview directly. Depending on your needs, you can search for sitters that lead enriching activities for your children, prepare nutritious meals, or do light housework like folding laundry!
We’re thrilled to have Care.com as a new sponsor for the Note to Self, and we’re excited for our community to support them. We’ve partnered with them to offer readers a 25% discount using code RV25.
Take a look at some of the local sitter profiles here and claim 25% off with code RV25.
Thank you to Care.com for sponsoring Note To Self.
Why We Love It
Makes child care feel less uncertain: Care.com gives parents a clearer way to search for sitters who fit their family, schedule, and comfort level.
Helps you feel more prepared: You can view sitter profiles, read reviews, chat, or schedule a video interview before making a choice.
Flexible for real-life needs: Whether you need help with activities, meals, bedtime, or light housework, you can look for someone who matches what your home actually needs.
Supports the plans you keep putting off: Reliable child care can make it easier to say yes to dinner plans, appointments, work commitments, or a much-needed break.
Simple to start browsing: You can take a look at local sitter profiles and see what options are available near you.
Ready to find support that fits your family? Note To Self readers can get 25% off with code RV25.
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