Caregiver Self-Care: Modeling Internal Locus

BY NICOLE LAU

Childhood Internal Locus Building: Ages 0-12

You can't give what you don't have. To raise a child with internal locus, you must model it yourself. This means taking care of yourself, maintaining your own worth, setting boundaries, and practicing self-compassion. When you model internal locus through self-care, your baby absorbs it. When you're depleted and running on external validation, your baby absorbs that too. Self-care isn't selfish - it's essential for raising children with inherent worth.

Why Caregiver Self-Care Matters

You Model What You Have: Baby learns by observing you. If you have internal locus, they absorb it. If you have external locus, they absorb that.

You Can't Pour From Empty: Depleted caregivers can't provide the presence, attunement, and joy that build internal locus. Self-care enables caregiving.

Your Nervous System Affects Theirs: Baby co-regulates with you. If you're dysregulated from depletion, baby feels it. If you're regulated through self-care, baby feels that too.

You Teach Boundaries: When you set boundaries and meet your own needs, you teach baby that needs matter - including their own. This is internal locus.

You Break Cycles: If you were raised with external locus, self-care is how you heal and avoid passing it on.

What Modeling Internal Locus Looks Like

1. Meeting Your Own Needs

What It Means: Recognizing and meeting your needs for rest, food, connection, alone time, support.

How to Practice:

- Eat when hungry (not just feeding baby)

- Rest when tired (sleep when baby sleeps sometimes)

- Ask for help when needed

- Take breaks

Models: "My needs matter. I'm worthy of care." This is internal locus.

2. Setting Boundaries

What It Means: Saying no when needed. Protecting your energy. Not sacrificing yourself to depletion.

How to Practice:

- Say no to visitors when you need rest

- Set limits with family who don't respect your parenting

- Protect your time and energy

- Don't martyr yourself

Models: "I have boundaries. My limits matter." This teaches baby boundaries are healthy.

3. Practicing Self-Compassion

What It Means: Being kind to yourself when you make mistakes. Not beating yourself up. Treating yourself with the same compassion you give baby.

How to Practice:

- When you mess up: "I'm human. I'm learning. I'm doing my best."

- Not perfectionism: "Good enough is good enough."

- Self-kindness: Talk to yourself like you'd talk to a friend

Models: "I'm worthy of kindness even when imperfect." This is internal locus.

4. Maintaining Your Identity

What It Means: You're not just "baby's parent." You're a whole person with interests, relationships, identity.

How to Practice:

- Maintain some interests/hobbies (even in small ways)

- Nurture adult relationships

- Remember who you are beyond parenting

- Don't lose yourself completely

Models: "I'm valuable as a whole person." This is internal locus.

5. Getting Support

What It Means: Asking for and accepting help. Not trying to do everything alone.

How to Practice:

- Ask partner/family/friends for help

- Hire help if possible

- Join parent groups for support

- See therapist if needed

Models: "I'm worthy of support. Asking for help is strength." This is internal locus.

What Depletion Looks Like (And Why It Harms)

Self-Sacrifice to Depletion: Giving everything to baby, nothing to yourself. You're exhausted, resentful, depleted.

Why It Harms:

- You can't provide presence when depleted

- Your dysregulation affects baby

- You model external locus ("I don't matter, only others do")

- You become resentful, which baby feels

Perfectionism: Trying to be perfect parent. Beating yourself up for mistakes.

Why It Harms:

- Models external locus ("I'm only valuable if perfect")

- Creates anxiety in you and baby

- Prevents authentic connection

Seeking External Validation: Needing others' approval of your parenting. Comparing yourself to other parents.

Why It Harms:

- Models external locus directly

- Creates anxiety

- Prevents trusting yourself

Practical Self-Care for New Parents

Sleep:

- Sleep when baby sleeps (sometimes)

- Ask partner to take night shift occasionally

- Prioritize rest over housework

Food:

- Eat regularly (not just feeding baby)

- Keep easy, nourishing food available

- Let others bring meals

Connection:

- Maintain some adult connection

- Talk to partner/friends

- Join parent groups

Alone Time:

- Even 10 minutes helps

- Shower, walk, sit quietly

- Ask for breaks

Movement:

- Gentle walks with baby

- Stretching, yoga when possible

- Movement regulates nervous system

When Self-Care Feels Impossible

Start Tiny: 5 minutes of self-care is better than none. Drink water. Take 3 deep breaths. Sit down.

Ask for Help: You can't do this alone. Ask. Accept help when offered.

Lower Standards: House doesn't have to be perfect. You don't have to be perfect. Good enough is good enough.

Get Professional Support: If you're struggling, see a therapist. Postpartum depression/anxiety are real. Get help.

The Bottom Line

Caregiver self-care isn't selfish - it's essential. You model internal locus through taking care of yourself, setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, maintaining your identity, and getting support. Your baby learns by observing you. If you have internal locus, they absorb it. If you're depleted and running on external validation, they absorb that. You can't pour from empty. Take care of yourself. This is how you raise a child with inherent worth.

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This concludes Part I: Infancy (0-2 years) of the Childhood Internal Locus Building series.

Childhood Internal Locus Building: Practical guidance for raising children with inherent worth.

— Nicole Lau, 2026