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How to Make Time for Yourself as a Mom

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How to Make Time for Yourself as a Mom

Moms are the heart of the home and often have a lot on their plates when it comes to the home. It is no small feat to take keep a home through cooking, cleaning, laundry, taking care of the kids, creating order, and everything that goes along with it. In the midst of it all, moms often find it difficult to take care of their own needs. The one question that Stay-at-Home moms often ponder is, “How can I find time for myself as a mom?” If you are a mom and wondering how you too can find time for yourself in the midst of motherhood, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading to learn ways to make time for yourself as a parent.

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Ways to Make Time for Yourself as a Mom

1. During Your Kids Naps

Don’t try to do all the things while your kids nap mammas. You need time to take care of YOU too. If your kids are very small and still nap, take that time (or some of it) for yourself while they nap. It may be tempting to rush through the house cleaning and prepping while they are napping. But remember moms, you too need some downtime to avoid burn-out. Your body needs care. You can avoid feeling overwhelmed and emotional by taking a break. When our kids were in the napping stage, I took that time daily for me. I didn’t get a manicure, I didn’t do my hair, I didn’t get a tub soak. But I did sat down. I did something I loved. I started blogging when our first child was at a very young age (think around a a year or so old). That time during our kids naps were when I blogged. You may wonder how is that even me time? I don’t know but I loved it. I was passionate about sharing what I did with others as a mom that it brought me pure joy. It really did. Also, I found delight in creating a menu for the home. So Fridays I’d gather all my menu planning essentials, sit on the couch with a show on (Rachael Ray, Judge Judy, or Hallmark, etc.,) and I’ll menu play away like nobody’s business. I don’t know why, but it made me happy. I got to (1) sit down, (2) watch some shows, (3) do something I loved.

Here are some ideas for you:

  • Take a nap
  • Exercise (for 1/2 hr)
  • Get a tub soak
  • Get an at home mani or pedi-cure
  • Call a friend or parent
  • Catch a favorite show
  • Work on your hobby
  • Practice a new skill (something you’ve been wanting to learn such as music, sewing, foreign language, singing, etc). You don’t necessarily have to go out to practice during the kids nap time. Practice at home via online or alone if you already have the basics.
  • Do nothing – sit and relax.

2. During Kids Quiet or Rest Time

If your kids are no longer in the napping phase, have them take a rest time during the day. Set a specific time daily and have them go to their rooms or a designated room to play quietly. My kids have activity bins that they used during this time. You can find them here.

Note: It is helpful if you can get all the kids to nap or rest at the same time. This is what to do. If you have a baby plus two toddlers who have given up naps, allow the toddlers to have quiet time when the baby naps. Most babies will take 2-3 naps daily. At the afternoon nap, let that be the quiet time for your non-napping toddlers also.

3. Create a Schedule and Include It

Sometimes the best way to get something done is to include it in a schedule. If you desire to practice a skill, include a time to practice in the schedule and work toward it. How? Say at 10:30 am you’ll practice guitar for 30 minutes – the kids could be playing quietly next to you. For real, they don’t always have to be away from you for you to grab a moment. Offer a snack and a quiet show if possible so you can get that time.

Don’t let the fear of creating a schedule get you down, the fear that it may not work. I know moms – I’ve been there. You never know until you try. When our kids were much younger, I created and tweaked many schedules to see what would work best. Of course, you want to leave room for spontaneity but having a plan will help to guide your day.

You can get this daily planner here. Use to write something down and include time for yourself in it. Get this Daily Planner

There are two versions of this printable planner – One where the time is already filled in for you and another where you can fill it for yourself as needed.

You can also get the Weekly Planner if that makes more sense to you. Grab it here.

4. Ask Your Kids for Time

I don’t know what it is but as long as the kids are seeing you, they are going to want something from you – either in the form of asking a question, demanding a snack, or wanting to show you something. Take heart moms. You can ask your kids to give you a few minutes to yourself. I have found that our kids at ages , 5, 7 & 9 were more than willing to play without interrupting mom for a few minutes. They either played quietly next to me or in their rooms for a few minutes. You may not be able to get a nap during this time, but you can surely sip a cup of coffee (if you’d dink), get a facial, or simply sit and relax. I’ve also on occasion rewarded them for allowing me this time for a break. Say, you can give them extra ipad time because they let you get some time to yourself. My kids are always super excited to get to play games on their devices.

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5. Ask for Help from your Spouse, a Relative, Neighbor or Hire a Babysitter

If it comes down to it, you can ask your spouse to take over while you get some mom time. My most favorite time shopping was when my husband was home and I got to drive to Target down the street by myself. It was such a time to relax, listen to music and even pray as I drove. That is all I needed at these moments. If your spouse is often gone to work during the week, you can see if he’ll be willing to watch the kids for a few hours over the weekend. Your kids grandmas or other close relatives may be able to watch the kids for some time, too.

6. Involve the Kids

When all else fail and you just really need to get something done, involve the kids. You’ll find that kids are more than willing to take a break from their everyday routine for a tub soak right along with you. If they are old enough to bathe by themselves, give them a soak first, then make them some popcorn and pop on a show for them to watch. Yes, a show. Then you hop in that tub for 20 minutes of relaxation. Grab a book while you’re at it and read something – or read nothing at all. It’s ok to take a mental break from all the noise too.

How to Make Time for Yourself as a Mom

Hopefully, these thoughts on How to Make Time for Yourself as a Mom will help you tremendously as you strive to keep a home and raise your kids.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27).

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