Creative Ways to Find Time for Yourself as a Mom

If you always hear about “me time” but never seem to be able to find some for yourself, then it’s time to get creative with your day. By changing how you approach certain everyday activities, you can carve out a few minutes or even an hour of free time. Here are some easy tips.

Change Your Sleep Time

If possible, spend an hour by yourself before the kids rise out of bed in the morning. Having this alone time at the start of the day can be a great way to refocus yourself.

With a baby, though, you’ll likely be up and down throughout the night. So, getting any amount of sleep probably sounds magical to you right about now. Keep your head up, though; those sleepless nights won’t last forever.

Ask for Help

If your partner seems to have a lot of free time, it might be time to look at whether you’re sharing the household responsibilities evenly. In this case, ask hubby to help with grocery shopping and folding laundry.

He is likely to want to help once he knows you need some time alone. Use this extra time to do something active that energizes you, such as taking a barre class. Wear barre socks that have a non-slip sole for an excellent grip in the studio, so you get the most out of the classes.

Talk with Other Moms

Find out how other mothers are getting “me time.” Hearing their suggestions might help you figure out how to change things to do the same in your family.

You might even take turns watching one another’s children, so give each other a break on the weekends or any other time. Obviously, only choose close friends who you trust to supervise your kids.

Say No

This one is tough for a lot of women, but it’s important. When asked to do activities like volunteering at school or leading a sports event with friends, you might feel obligated to say yes.

But if saying no will allow you to have time to yourself then feel free to say it. You don’t have to do everything you are asked. It’s best to take time to recharge your batteries instead so that you have the energy for your family and don’t get burnout.

While They Nap

When the kids take a nap, make use of this 20-30 minutes (or longer, depending on your children). This time is great for reading the chapter of a book, losing yourself in a TV show, or even taking a quick snooze yourself.

Soak in the quiet time, and you’ll likely feel refreshed when the kiddos rise from their beds. Everyone will be in a better mood after that half an hour.

Making Me Time a Priority

If you find that you never have time for yourself, then schedule it on your calendar the same way that you would an appointment or a business meeting. Make sure you don’t reschedule it and have a great time doing something that makes you happy. While you love your family, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have alone time.