Laundry, diapers, meals and errands – where can I find time for me? It’s a challenge. Busy families equal busy schedules. I am finding myself burning out this summer because I’m not taking me time. It leaves me grumpy, frustrated and not the Mom I want to be…so I am purposefully incorporating Me-Time into my life with these strategies…
- Down time when the baby naps. Yes, I have older kids in the house who want constant entertainment…but I have decided we all need quiet time when the baby naps. Read, colour, even watch a cartoon. I am finding the older kids appreciate the break (and I thought they needed to go-go-go) turns out that a mid-day pause is enjoyed by everyone.
- Book a time out. I have booked my Thursday nights off parent duty. It’s my night to connect with friends, enjoy a night out, do a sport (OK – by sport I mean go on twitter). I really look forward to a night off (even if I’m just at home in my room). Kids can enjoy hanging with their father and I get a much needed break.
- Swap siblings. I’ve been doing a lot of kid swapping lately. I find the brother and sisters getting on each other’s nerves (which gets on my nerves). So I have been “seperating siblings” with friends who have kids in the same age ranges of our family. I take the baby and tweens – they take the middle aged kids. It gives us all a break from sibling squabbles (and I actually can empty the dishwasher in peace!).
- Treat myself to a babysitter. Budgets are tight and hiring a sitter can be considered an extra but it’s an important once-in-a-while extra. Extended family and friends are busy and sometimes hard to get hold of to watch kids when you need them. A sitter is a great go-to for a night out. On my last date, my husband wanted to know where I wanted to go…”I just want to WALK without having to push a stroller, tell anyone to catch up, or run after a toddler”. It was bliss to go out with grown-ups.
Taking time for yourself is so important. It gives you a chance to re-energize. De-stress. Breathe. I didn’t realize it until I started to burn out and recognized I wasn’t breathing…I was huffing and puffing my way through my days. I find having me time gives me more energy to play with my kids. Allows me to appreciate rather than feel frustration. I’m a better Mommy because of taking time for me.
We all say it’s hard to find me time…but my advice…you have to make it happen…you’ll be better for it.
