How do you find some 'me' time?

Alison - posted on 07/04/2010

if she sleeps during the day take that time try and join a mums group or and social class with a crache

La - posted on 07/03/2010

My "me" time is never really "me" time at all. I can do things for myself while my daughter is napping, but then I won't be able to get any cooking or house cleaning done during that time. My only time to myself ends up being when I'm in the shower or when I go grocery shopping after she is asleep at night...not really quality me time but I'll take what I can get.

Christina - posted on 07/02/2010

nap time is not just for baby. take advantage of it. i know the house needs to be cleaned and laundry needs to be done, but let it wait. sit down, watch Maury or Desperate Housewives, or mess around on the computer for a little bit. Read a book, paint your nails. sometimes even just taking a shower seems like an amazing break in the day!

Angie - posted on 07/02/2010

I was a SAHM for 13 years so I understand your frustration. I used to take time to sit and read a book while my children slept. I didn't have a lot of "me time" until my children were old enough to take care of themselves - when my oldest was 13 and my youngest was 6. Now, my children are 17, 12, and 9 and I get too much alone time - they are always busy. Enjoy this time, it won't last long enough.

Iridescent - posted on 07/02/2010

You have to demand it. Your husband gets breaks at work like any other "employee" and you don't, yet when he gets home he wants to relax (several hour break) and again, you don't get that. So let your husband know every Wednesday (variable) is your night out from 6pm-when you get home. Once a week is a good starting point, and what most people need. The same is needed as a couple. Or you could do it differently and say he gets 45 minutes after getting home to himself, and the following hour and a half are yours, every work day. And on non-work days, you get the same amount of time he does. Just ideas.

My husband and I broke up when we were younger because neither of us was getting time to be ourselves anymore. We're married now, and we have a date night every Thursday (requires a nurse and a babysitter), and when one of us needs a break, we let the other know and it's allowed. Prior to having a good routine, I had to demand it, leave the house, and come back when I was prepared to be "mom" again, be it 5 minutes or a few hours. Now I can go into our room or outside and I'm allowed that time, because we each agree it helps a LOT.

Olwen - posted on 07/02/2010

For the past 6 month's we've been living in new zealand so i'm very far away from home. I'm from ireland. The first thing i did when i got here was find a baby sitter, just keep looking for one, it'll make all the difference. Also some gyms do daycare too. That's fantastic. To me that's the best one because you always feel better after the gym.

Also in the evenings, join a course. I starting painting again after 10 years and i forgot how much i love it. The biggest thing is the guilt but this time I've decided to take care of myself and everyone is getting the benifits from it. We've never lived anywhere for longer than 6 month's, my husbands job. I love it, we get to travel alot but the down side is meeting people and Finding activities for my daughter.

My other favorite things is, we got out once a week for dinner, mid week so we don't even drink. No baby talk. I love it. It breaks up the week and we get to spend time together.

Good luck, i know how hard it is. It really does feel like 24/7.

Amanda - posted on 07/02/2010

My daughter is 13 months old and very self sufficient. She can play by herself for hours and if there is anything she needs, she'll come to me. She goes to bed at 6pm so I get me time at night and my mom usually takes her overnight at least once per month.

September - posted on 07/02/2010

I make "me time" I find that "me time" is very important for my overall health and happiness. I have a wonderful husband who would drop anything when I tell him I need some "me time". I would suggest that you sit with your husband and tell him how much it would mean to you to have regular "me time" and let him help pick a day/time that would be good for the both of you. Otherwise I would take advantage of the times when your child is napping to enjoy a warm bath or paint your nails or something that you find to be relaxing. Good luck!

Joanna - posted on 07/02/2010

naptime is really the only me-time I get. Although once my daughter was old enough to play on her own, occasionally I'd put her in her room and put the baby gate up, and sit in the bathtub for 15 minutes. That was always a nice refresher (and with a busy toddler, sometimes you forget to take a bath, so I'm sure it made the people around me happy, too, lol).

Julia - posted on 07/02/2010

Nap time or after the kiddies go to bed.

Toni - posted on 07/02/2010

On my sons morning nap I get my household chores done then I try and have me time on his afternoon nap (if I finished my jobs if not then I have to do them) and I grab a little me time on an evening after my son has gone to bed and I've cooked tea and cleaned up again. Once a month my hubby encourages me to go out with my mates for some real me time were I have a great night - the next one I'm going to see eclipse at the cinema (cannot wait!).

Kelli - posted on 07/02/2010

The only me time I get is when my daughter is taking a nap and when she goes to bed at night. When she is awake I try to do things with her and clean too then when she takes a nap, I jump in the shower, then I get on the computer or find a movie on tv and relax.

Amy - posted on 07/02/2010

The only me time I get is a hot shower if I'm lucky! I put on the tv for my 4 year old and my 3 month old goes in her bouncy seat on the floor in the bathroom, and then for 15 minutes I try to have piece and quiet. That's all the me time I get and then after they go to bed (both asleep by 9) I get a big bowl of ice cream and watch tv (my husband doesn't get home till midnight).

Marcy - posted on 07/02/2010

It was really pretty tough to find me time until my son turned about 2ish....I work full time outside the house so when I get home it seems like its a mad rush to get dinner on the table, laundry folded, etc. Can you take her for a walk in her stroller? if she falls asleep throw on your ipod and just go for a nice long walk. If you live near a coffee shop swing in and grab a cup and make sure you bring a book.

My son is turning 4 the end of the this month and this is my "me" time schedule. Tuesday and Thurs I get out of work at 3pm. Rather than go get him at school right away I meet up with a friend and we go for a run. Monday nights I just started taking an aerobics class at 6pm. Saturday mornings I am up at 4:30 and I go for a 7-10 mile run...I am home before my son gets up. As for small things, I typically take a bath a few nights of week after my kiddo goes to bed and I read in the tub for about 30 minutes. I think honestly as they get older it does get easier to find more down time. Its also important to have "we" time as a family and with your hubby. We are taking a family hike on Monday this weekend...we try and do one family adventure a weekend...it keeps things fun. Good luck.