Remember and protect your rights

Fifteen parents who helped create this site came up with this list. We wrote statements that we felt represented the most important rights for any parent or caregiver. We hope they help comfort and support you. Make a copy or bookmark this page and look at them when you have had a challenging day. Highlight the ones that most apply to you. You can even add your own ideas to the list:

  1. I have the right to enjoy my life as intensely as possible.
  2. I have the right to play and be silly without feeling guilty.
  3. I have the right to ask for help. 
  4. I have the right to grieve.
  5. I have the right to laugh or cry, whichever I need at the moment.
  6. I have the right to step away and just breathe.
  7. I have the right to have 5 minutes to myself.
  8. I have the right to just be in the moment.
  9. I have the right to be gentle with myself and know that I don’t have to be everything to everyone all the time.
  10. I have the right to respectfully disagree.
  11. I have the right to not be judged by myself or others.
  12. I have the right to say “no.”
  13. I have the right to take time away for myself.
  14. I have the right to feel my feelings and to validate them within myself.
  15. I have the right to share or not share my feelings all the time.
  16. I have the right to say that today I did the best I could do.
  17. I have the right to keep things in my life that are special and only for me.
  18. I have the right to take care of myself.
  19.