Okay, let's be real. When was the last time you went to the bathroom at home and weren't interrupted? When did you last sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal at a restaurant without worrying about the 6 inches of piled food on the floor around your toddler's high chair? When did you last have a chance to style your hair AND put on your makeup without smearing eyeliner across your face because someone let out a bloodcurdling scream?
(Just as a side note, if any of you do manage to get your hair and makeup done with a toddler underfoot, I expect you to offer me your teaching services and come to my house to show me how it's done.)
In any case, we could all use a bit more "me" time, and it's not easy to come by. So here are a few suggestions to eek out those precious private seconds.
1 - When your little one naps, forego the housework. The laundry will wait, and so will the dishes. They may eventually grow feet and walk around the house, but I promise they will continue to wait as long as necessary. Save the housework for when the kids are playing well, watching a movie, or hanging with Dad. Use naptime to recharge your own batteries. Sit on the couch and relax, take in a movie, give yourself a manicure, or take a much needed nap. Whatever YOU want to do to relax, go for it.
2 - Schedule a "Mom's Dinner Out" with some of your female friends (moms or not). Make sure your husband, babysitter, mother, sister, whoever, knows they are on duty for that night. Make this a regular event, once a month, once a week, whatever you can manage. Go to dinner with the girls and have an appetizer AND dessert. Go to a chick flick. Do whatever you like, just enjoy.
3 - Switch off babysitting days with another mom. Know another mom who needs a break? Offer to trade off babysitting days (or afternoons or mornings). You watch her kids on Tuesday, she watches yours on Thursday, you get the idea. Use your free hours to lay out by the pool, go to the mall (without dealing with the "Mommy I WANT!'s"). Get your hair done or eat lunch outside at a cafe.
4 - Make time for a bath. Every other night or so, make time for a bath. Lock the door, pull out the Calgon, and take yourself away with a good book, or just a relaxing soak. Dad can look after the little ones, and if he has a problem with the idea, go on vacation to anywhere, alone, for three days and leave him with the kids. It's amazing how fast his tune will change with a little crash course in Mommyhood.
Remember, regardless of anyone else's thoughts on the matter, Mommy's sanity is ALWAYS the most important. Without it, the entire world would fall to pieces. So go ahead, make some "ME" time. You earned it.
1 comment:
Excellent advice - I'd like to 2nd all of it.
When my kid naps, that is Me, Me, ME Time. I try very hard to just rest and enjoy the peace and quiet. I try not to even watch television and prefer to read or get some things done online.
Re: Hair and makeup - I have toys in my bedroom/bathroom area. It sorta sucks that my sanctuary is a bit littered with Craptastic Plastic, but it's worth it so that I can look halfway decent every day! Also, I try to involve my kid and I let him play with my stuff. He loves to be chased with the hairdryer - bonus!
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