To mark Parents Mental Health Day on the 27^th January, Eczema Clothing interview four mothers who either live with or have children with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin.

Each of the four mothers share their top tips for looking after your mental health in this video. We've transcribed their words in the blog below. 

Imo

Imo’s (@planet.imo) daughter had severe Eczema when she was little. Her daughter is now grown up and happily has grown out of Eczema too. Imo’s Mum was the one to introduce her to Eczema Clothing when she bought our Cotton Comfort Pjs as a gift for her granddaughter many years ago.

“If you're anything like I was, you'll be driving yourself around the bend trying to find a cure for your child's eczema. All the professionals, the world over with all their years, if not decades of training experience and becoming very highly specialized in their fields. They haven't figured it out yet.

Do not feel guilty or bad or ashamed or like a failure if you don't figure it out because they haven't figured it out. You work so hard and you put in so many extra hours compared to normal people to keep your child comfortable. Don't underestimate your efforts. You are doing an amazing job. Be proud of yourself.”

Stella

Stella's daughter wears our 100% Organic Cotton Gloves to nursery 

Stella, (@Tsw_mummyandme) is a mother on her own healing journey from TSW. Stella has a baby with allergies and Eczema. 

Hi. I'd like to share my top tip for parents who may be suffering with their mental health, who have children with skin conditions like TSW, or eczema. My first top tip would be to try and find some time for you. For me, I find time for myself by exercising.

Now, that could be exercising physically at the gym or by going for a nice brisk walk with my daughter. Sometimes I take her along with me just to enjoy the scenery and get out. Now, it doesn't always have to be physical exercise. You could do mental exercises to really help to alleviate any stress or strain or anxiety that you may have.

So just by doing gentle breathing exercises or even meditating. Now, I know it's not often that we would get time to do anything like this, but it's very important for your mental health and wellbeing to find that time for yourself. Find a new space. Take yourself out of that environment that isn't making you feel good, I promise.

Bethany

Bethany (@bee.thebrave) and her little boy Albie both have Eczema. Having experienced the devastating cycle of TSW, Bethany is a campaigner and educator raising awareness about natural healing

You’ll feel a lot better ultimately if you surround yourself with people who support you mentally and physically. And it doesn't have to be people that actually understand what you're going through, it's just people that are willing to be there for you no matter what, because it can be very overwhelming.

Connect with people who are going through exactly what you're going through, I promise you there will be the strongest connections you'll ever make. Um, to be able to connect with people that you don't even need to have a conversation with, to actually know how the other person feels is just second to none.

Invest in products from brands that genuinely care about your wellbeing. This product is my favourite from eczema clothing.

The features that I like about it the most is the labels and seams are on the outside and it's got integrated mitts, so you're not having to fight and keep trying to put the mitt’s back on to stop them from scratching. It's also 100% organic cotton, and it's even got specific, um, washing instructions on here to use a non-bio liquid as well. Really informative, really supportive, really soft, and so practical.

Linzi

Linzi (@wee_red_spots) is a mother who has Guttate Psoriasis.

Hi, I'm Linzi. I am a mum of one, and I suffer from Guttate psoriasis. My top tip for dealing with parenting and a skin condition is to prioritise your self-care. Now, that doesn't mean being fully selfish, but it also means trying not to feel guilty when you have to put your needs first. You can't pour from an empty cup as they say.

So, talking to your kids and being honest about looking after your body and your mind, and just showing them the worth that you put into your physical and mental health is so important. So, it could be as simple as including them in a workout at home or a yoga session before bed. Even talking them through your skincare routine and why you're doing what you're doing or explaining to them why we all need some time out and need some time to ourselves.

It actually gives them the vocabulary and it gives them the tools they'll need in the future to look after their own wee brains and bodies

  Here's the link the watch the video on Instagram

Thank you so much to all of our wonderful contributors for sharing their advice. We hope it makes you feel less alone if you are struggling with sensitive skin, parenthood, or as in the case of our interviewees, both.