Finding Joy and Self Care

Finding Joy and Self-Care for Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy
You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first." — Unknown
Session Objective
Empower caregivers to incorporate self-care into their busy lives through practical, hands-on
activities and interactive discussion, helping them find moments of joy in their caregiving
journey.
Session Outline (40 Minutes)
1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)
 Greet caregivers warmly, acknowledging the challenges they face and emphasizing
the importance of self-care.
 Share the opening quote and discuss briefly why it's crucial for caregivers to take time
for themselves.
2. Activity 1: Sharing Joy Moments (5 minutes)
 Activity: Ask caregivers to turn to the person next to them and share a recent moment
that brought them joy or made them smile while caring for their child.
 Objective: Set a positive tone by focusing on joyful moments, however small they
might be. This can help shift the mindset to appreciating small wins.
3. Discussion: The Reality of Caregiving and Self-Care (5 minutes)
 Open Discussion: Encourage participants to share what self-care means to them and
what challenges they face in prioritizing it.
 Keep this section interactive with open-ended questions like, “What’s one thing you
wish you had more time to do for yourself?”
 Focus on normalizing the struggle and emphasizing that self-care looks different for
everyone.
4. Activity 2: Creating a Personalized Self-Care Plan (15 minutes)
 Materials: Provide each caregiver with a simple worksheet that includes four
sections: Physical Self-Care, Emotional Self-Care, Social Self-Care, and Joyful
Activities.
 Instructions:
o Ask caregivers to spend 5 minutes identifying one small activity in each
category they would like to try in the coming week (e.g., drinking a cup of tea
mindfully, taking a short walk, calling a friend, listening to a favorite song).
o Pair up caregivers to share their self-care plans with each other for 5 minutes,
offering encouragement and ideas.
 Objective: Make self-care actionable by having caregivers set realistic, achievable
goals.
5. Activity 3: Relaxation and Joyful Movement Exercise (5 minutes)

 Guided Exercise: Lead the group through a short, joyful movement exercise, such as
stretching or gentle chair yoga.
 Encourage caregivers to laugh, loosen up, and have fun during the movements. Use
light music if available.
 Objective: Help caregivers experience a brief moment of stress relief and fun
together.
6. Group Brainstorm: Overcoming Self-Care Barriers (5 minutes)
 Small Groups: Divide participants into small groups of 3-4. Ask them to brainstorm
ways to overcome common barriers to self-care (e.g., lack of time, guilt, fatigue).
 Share Back: Ask each group to share one creative idea or strategy with the whole
group.
 Objective: Foster a collaborative spirit where caregivers can support each other with
practical tips and insights.
7. Activity 4: Gratitude Practice (3 minutes)
 Quick Exercise: Hand out small cards or sticky notes. Ask each caregiver to write
down three things they are grateful for, focusing on their strengths or something they
appreciate about their child.
 Sharing: If comfortable, invite a few caregivers to share what they wrote with the
group.
 Objective: End the session on a positive note, reinforcing the idea that joy can be
found even in small moments of gratitude.
8. Closing and Encouragement (2 minutes)
 Reiterate the importance of self-care and finding joy in the caregiving journey.
 Encourage caregivers to commit to one small self-care action they can do in the next
24 hours.
 End with a positive affirmation: “You are not alone, and your well-being matters.
Taking care of yourself is a powerful way to care for your child.”
Materials Needed
 Self-Care Plan Worksheets

 Small cards or sticky notes
 Pens
 Relaxing or light music (optional)
 Comfortable space for light stretching or movement
Follow-Up Suggestions
 Create a WhatsApp or Facebook group for caregivers to share self-care tips, moments
of joy, and encourage each other regularly.
 Plan another interactive session focused on specific self-care practices like relaxation
techniques, time management, or support resources.
This session aims to be practical, uplifting, and engaging, giving caregivers simple tools they
can immediately apply while connecting them to a supportive community.

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Finding Joy and Self-Care for Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Session Outline (40 Minutes)

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Activity 1: Sharing Joy Moments (5 minutes)

3. Discussion: The Reality of Caregiving and Self-Care (5 minutes)

4. Activity 2: Creating a Personalized Self-Care Plan (15 minutes)

5. Activity 3: Relaxation and Joyful Movement Exercise (5 minutes)

6. Group Brainstorm: Overcoming Self-Care Barriers (5 minutes)

7. Activity 4: Gratitude Practice (3 minutes)

8. Closing and Encouragement (2 minutes)

 Self-Care Plan Worksheets

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