As parents it is easy to forget to take care of yourselves. This is especially true if your children are under 3 years. Usually last on the totem pole, we tend to busy ourselves with the wellbeing of our little ones and spouses, home and work issues before addressing our own ailments. The thing is, is that by the time advice is sought it is usually at the 25^th hour, and while not impossible to amend, makes the solution more difficult to attain. As my father likes to remind me, you need to put on your life vest first, and then attach it to others in need. Simply put, health comes first. Whether it’s emotional, physical or mental, this is an integral part of the parenthood experience and has to be balanced with our surroundings.

In this spirit, I welcome this area as a discussion about wellness and feeling good, particularly for parents with small children. The topics vary from investment and budgeting, to eating well and living mindfully. Each featured author carries a wealth of experience, and a willingness to share. The ideas and concepts presented here are generally speaking. If there are special needs or serious issues, or maybe you are unsure about a suggestion, I strongly recommend that you get a second opinion from the relevant professional. Below is a broad list of useful institutions in Helsinki that may provide assistance. It’s good practice to have some of these numbers handy, and I’ve included both the Finnish and English routes wherever possible.