Parental perception of self-care and its connection to childcare (age range 0-5 years old)

Abstract

This qualitative research intends to explore the perceptions of urban parents regarding self-care, their self-care practices, and the connection between parental self-care and childcare. It was found through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions that urban Bangladeshi parents are well aware of the concept, but they rarely have the time and opportunity to practice it to a satisfactory extent. Parents taking good care of themselves affects their own lives positively and trickles down to their children’s lives as well. Parents who take care of themselves can communicate better with their children and as a result, the children behave better. That being said, there are significant barriers to parents being able to practice self-care. The study recommends better support from workplaces and changes on the policy level to make way for that, along with awareness campaigns.