Accountability Support Groups For Parents: How To Form One & Why You Should

In the current climate, we wager few parents are actually taking the time they need to care for themselves, create healthy habits, set their own goals, and so much more. Given we're all so cut off from each other, it can also likely feel like you're going on this journey alone. And that's a pretty terrible feeling to deal with. 

That's why Erica Lasan, coach and founder of JOYrney To Purpose, says it's vital to find a community to help you feel supported—and most notably, help keep you accountable so you are meeting your goals, keeping yourself healthy, and taking time for self-care. See, when it's just you, it can be hard to convince yourself that you deserve to prioritize your own joy—so have others do it for you. 

It's something parents hear so often: You can't take care of others if you're not taking care of yourself. "You always want to make sure you're being your best for your kids: We so often think that taking care of them first is the way to do that, but in reality taking care of yourself first is how we accomplish being good parents and the fullest version of yourself," says Lasan. 

This is so much easier said than done. ("Life and time happen. The world is constantly coming at you," says Lasan.) And having others hold you accountable for taking care of your needs is a way to make this more doable. 

"You know that you're not alone. You know that you can tap into the resources of those around you. As parents we get caught up in the idea of no one gets it; I'm all alone in this. I'm just so overwhelmed and not able to take care of myself. But if you have people around who know what you should be doing, they can help refocus you," she says. "This will ultimately help your family: living in your joy helps everyone around you." 

This will help in more ways than one: "It also just creates a built-in crew that you can ask for support when you need it," she says, noting that a big problem is that people don't know where to turn in times of need. But if you already have a community in your corner, you know exactly where to go.