How do you steal some "me time"?

Kelli - posted on 09/05/2010

when i need me time my husband takes the kids and go shopping with no kids just to have some relaxing time for myself

Jennifer - posted on 09/05/2010

Wow, that is awesome! I wish I had that kind of motivation and energy!

Tracy - posted on 09/05/2010

i wake up early before work - about a half hour - and drink my coffee in silence before starting my day.

i also take the time after my daughter's in bed for the night to have some time to myself before i go to sleep.

on weekends, i go for a walk for about an hour or go to the grocery store (sad!) or something on my own.

i am the type of person who needs a lot of quiet time and introspection so finding quiet time is very important to me.

Paula - posted on 09/05/2010

-Except for the soaps you do exactly the same as me. Instead of soaps I paint. My kids rooms, hall, stairs, landing and my kitchen are all hand painted with characters chosen by my kids. I love the looks on their faces when the rooms are finished. Then I know that all the effort was worth it. .

Jennifer - posted on 09/04/2010

My "me" time is after my son and husband go to bed. I get on the computer and check my emails and facebook page, and I catch up on my soaps via Soapnet. It helps me to unwind and relax.

Paula - posted on 09/02/2010

When my kids are at school I drop them off and come home, make myself a coffee and some toast and have an hour to myself before I begin my House work. After they are in bed I give them a hour or so to settle then I run a bath, light the candles, put on a relaxing cd and sink into the bubbles with a glass of wine. When they are on holidays I make the daytime for them and I have my time when they are in bed or if my husband is off he takes them to the park so I have an hour or so while they are out or I go with them and play on the swings too !

Missy - posted on 08/28/2010

i try to schedule time for my soap opra it is a hour but i try to take thiss time to relax

Elizabeth - posted on 08/27/2010

i make sure that kids are in the bed by 8pm, no later than 8:30pm. This way, I can have me time or cuddle with hubby, get on facebook, talk on the phone with a friend, or watch tv. During the day we go outside. I allow them to run and play. We do some academics for at least an hour, nap, eat, baths and before you know it...it's bedtime. Sticking to a schedule does help me tremendously because I know what's next and the kids have learned as well.

Felicia - posted on 08/27/2010

I keep bedtime at 8pm each night so that I'm sure to get some time at night to myself.

Vicky - posted on 08/27/2010

If you can't schedule a night off a week or half a weekend day, then the trick is finding the small amounts of time that can be made into 'me' time and taking full advantage of them. That means finding things you can do for yourself in 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, half an hour etc etc that will not annoy you if the time is cut short unexpectedly.

That, and find as many places that can entertain kids as possible. Play groups, soft-play centres, special outtings etc etc give the kids something to do whilst the parents can chat. Creches at various places like gyms, sporting clubs, pools, clubs, churches, libraries etc etc can always give you an hour or two of 'me time' - sometimes for free, sometimes for a small fee.

And find other mothers with kids that are the same age as yours and set up play dates. Kids will generally prefer to play with each other than to bug Mum (except of course when they want something...) so joining up with other Mums makes the task of looking after and entertaining the kids easier. 5 Mums & 10 kids is a much easier ration than 1 Mum, 2 kids, especially if you trust the other Mums to care for your kids well enough if they need food/drink/toilet/bandaid etc etc.

In the end, it a mindset. You have to appreciate what you have rather than grumbling about what you don't have (which is much harder to do than say - I struggle alot too)

Amanda - posted on 08/25/2010

me and my husband have set days a week that we have "me time" i go visit friends and catch up and my husband plays cards(not for money) lol i also work so that gives me some time to myself i'm in a job i love so being there is the same as having a break from the kids and home.

Kelly - posted on 08/23/2010

I've always stolen some "me time" by bringing books and reading during his taekwondo & swim classes. I also plan trips to the park with other mom's so I can squeeze in some adult conversation while I let him blow off some energy. Mostly, though, my "me time" comes after he is in bed for the evening; I cuddle up in my bed with a good book, or settle into a bath with some ice water and a chilled white wine.

My son started school last week, I thought I would finally have some time for me, but I actually feel like I have less time! I have to get everything done before 2pm now (where I used to be able to fit it in any time before 5pm). Once I pick him up, it's non-stop--snack, folder time, homework, taekwondo, dinner, bath, clean the kitchen, teeth, prepare book bag & lunch, and finally story & bed time! And to think I was considering a part time job!

Shandy - posted on 08/23/2010

i usally sit and take a warm shower and then sit in bed and watch some t v before the kids get up

Debrah - posted on 08/23/2010

I get up at least an hour before everyone else, do some pilates, take a walk or meditate and then I'm set for the day. When I take a coffee break I also do some online browsing and a relaxing bath when no one is home to interrupt is bliss.

Yvette - posted on 08/23/2010

I will go get a pedicure during my lunch break. I don't always have time after work. On ocassion I will stop by the store before I go home to get a few things. I enjoy browsing by myself. The constant bickering of the kids in the store can be tiresome. And last like every other Mom, I would love to lose my baby weight. My constant battle for 6yrs and three kids later. I have one child that goes to school. But in my house bedtime is bedtime. They all go to bed at 8. After I pick up what I can around the house. I try to exercise at least 4 days a week. It's tooken me awhile to figure out I can spend some time alone without feeling guilty. I love it!

Eniko - posted on 08/23/2010

I go with the flow, my "me-time" is not planned, I take it wherever I can get it and take it I will. Be that in the morning, before my son wakes up, on lunch time at work, after dinner when all is done (or not done... :P ). I am an avid reader and that is my best "me-time".

Ronel - posted on 08/22/2010

I have to 'steal' some time - either early morning before I wake up my family (with their coffee and breakfast) or late night when all of them have gone off to bed!

Erin - posted on 08/20/2010

Ha ha this is a good one! I specifically set my alarm to go off an hour before I have to wake my dd up for school, just so I can have a bit of peace and quiet with my cup of coffee. Sometimes I read my email or a book for a bit, but I need that time to adjust to being awake lol.
A lot of times I stay up after they are asleep for a while too, just to do something quietly to myself. I don't think anyone can be a walking question-answerer 24/7 without going at least a little bit batty so it's important to keep these small moments for ourselves.

Crystal - posted on 08/20/2010

In the daytime, when they go down for nap, I just relax, sit and watch TV, sometimes nap myself, or get on the computer. In the evenings if I need a break, I leave. I take off to the store, or go for a walk.

Angie - posted on 08/20/2010

I'm a mom and my wants, desires, and needs come in a distant 4th to my family. If I want some me time, I wait until my children are in bed and hop into a bubble bath with a book.

Dara - posted on 08/20/2010

My me time right now is going to the gym. Every other day, after the kids go to bed I head to the gym for an hour, plug my earphones in, turn up the volume and have a really hard workout. On weekends, one of the days, my husband gets up with the kids and lets me sleep in. Other things I do is to work on my novel while the little one is sleeping and the bigger one is occupied in the playroom with the other kids in my day home. The time I take are just small moments throughout the day, but I find it makes a world of difference to me. I look forward to it, and snatch it wherever I can get it.

Donna - posted on 08/20/2010

I drop the kids off for school, and go straight to a coffee shop to have a quiet coffee and read the paper in silence. Then back to my office to work. Its the 30 mins to myself at the start of the day which sets me up nicley for a lovely day ahead.
Im a life coach (www.innerhero.com.au) and I coach so many people on the same thing....time...so great question and good luck.Cheers Donna

Brooke - posted on 08/20/2010

I really enjoy walking, so I simply buy the bread and milk one day at a time, and my hubby knows he has to look after the kids each day while I take my "time-out walk". It sounds simple but it really helps- there was a while that I was unable to get out and walk, and I got so sick from stress that I ended up at the doctor.