Taken from Growing Concerns -- A childrearing question-and-answer column with Martha Erickson

Question: Since my kids were born I've felt as though I've lost myself. I was taught that parents need to sacrifice their needs for their kids, so I feel guilty if I do something just for me. But I'm afraid I'll burn out and make life worse for my kids in the long run.

Answer: Caring for children means parents' needs often take the back burner. This is OK up to a point, but as with so many things in life, too much of a good thing can become a problem. To maintain the emotional reserve necessary to care for children, parents need to pay attention to their own needs. Here are a few ways that busy parents can look after themselves even in the midst of looking after their children.

· Make time for "mini-retreats." Soak in a bubble bath surrounded by candles. Go sit in the park or a coffee shop and read a good novel. Take a class at the 'Y' or through Community Education, especially one that offers child care. Do whatever makes you feel refreshed. Know that little things produce big results; even 15 or 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for yourself can restore your energy.

· Maintain a strong network of emotional support. Research points to support as a primary factor in emotional well-being for parents and, in turn, for their children. Whether your support comes from extended family, neighbors, co-workers, or a formal support group, it is important this network pays attention to your emotional needs and encourages you in your goal of being a good parent.

· Share resources with friends and family. For cost-effective ways to care for yourself, a barter system can work wonders. What if you cook a double batch of Monday night's dinner and share it with your neighbors in exchange for their taking care of your kids while you break routine and catch a matinee movie? Or how about helping your nephew with his French in exchange for his taking your kids to the park while you take a nap? Be creative in finding ways to make sure that you get the breaks you need.

· Set priorities and maintain boundaries. Sort the jobs and activities that are really important to you, or that energize you, from those that you do only because of some old message about duties and obligations. Then, with a trusted friend, practice how many ways you can say, "No, I'm sorry, I won't be able to do that," without hurting the feelings of the person who's asking for your time. If you keep in mind that caring for your children is always at the top of the list, then it becomes easier to eliminate those activities that drain you of energy and keep you off track.

Remember that caring for yourself enables you to care best for your children. And when you do this, you also are modeling for your children how to live a balanced life.

Editor's Note: Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson, director of the University of Minnesota's Children, Youth and Family Consortium, invites your questions on child rearing for possible inclusion in this column. E-mail to mferick@tc.umn.edu or write to Growing Concerns, University of Minnesota News Service, 6 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.