When can I find "me time" ?

Aideen - posted on 02/27/2010

I have had so many people say (and I'm sure I have, too!) that we just have to MAKE time! Ha! That's easy, right? Well, I would first write down your schedule minute-minute for a couple days. Then, see if there's anything that you are doing that someone could either help you out with, or something that you don't need to do--in other words, the task could be given to your children (you'll have to accept momentarily that it's not going to be done the way YOU would do it!)....then, toss the guilt for 1/2 hour or even 15 minutes and have your children work on something....watch a short video/show...draw....let them know that you will be in the shower or outside or whatever, and give them a time frame. Then, just ENJOY!!! Even if there's that neighbor or friend who also has kids--trade off a 1/2 hour or more here and there and be consistent! It will help you become more relaxed and less guilty. If your kids give you trouble for it, then talk to them about it and try to relate it to them about it using an analogy from their "world".

Patricia - posted on 02/26/2010

I stay up and extra hour to two past the youngest my youngest child's bedtime to have me time

Leanne - posted on 02/25/2010

What is me time? I hardly ever have time for myself, in fact I cannot remember the last time I had me time. Being mom, wife,worjing mom, it tough. I actually just wanna pass out and sleep.

Tanya - posted on 02/22/2010

This is where I started enjoying the extremely small things in life. Like getting the car all to myself and being able to blast my favourite songs just for me.

Just recently though I've learned to remember my dreams and keep them as main goals when I am making decisions. If I have to make a decision I weigh whether or not the decision brings me one step closer to my dreams/goals. It helps alot in making "me time"...all the time.

Jill - posted on 02/21/2010

having "me" time is important! You are still an individual even though you are a mom, wife, employee, daughter , etc. I enjoy me-time by having a once a month girls night, date night with my husband(does that count?) alone scrapbooking time, alone shopping, or maybe a short nap.If I'm really feeling indulgent, a trip to the spa for a massage! Moms need occasional re-charging; we are the "engines" of the family ! :)

Cheryl - posted on 02/20/2010

My ME time was 5am in the morning taking my dog for a hours walk while everyone was asleep. It is a great time no traffic, cool and other people walking a friendly smile and off they go. Very valuable for my sanity and the kids sanity as well. A happy Mum equals Happy Kids!

Angela - posted on 02/20/2010

Much like you I often find myself so busy attending to everyone else's needs (husband, 18 and 5 yr old daughters') that I neglect my own. You eventually find yourself feeling frustrated and overwhelmed on a regular basis. The only way to overcome/prevent this is to "just do it"! It may only be small time blocks daily or schedule it for yourself weekly but "get it in"! It may be waking up before everyone else in the morning, staying up while they're asleep, short shopping trip after work, hair/nail appointment, uniterrupted relaxing bath with a book, candles and glass of wine. Whatever it is you like...but if we don't take care of ourselves we'll eventually be unable to take care of anyone else...Gotta show yourself some love too and there's no crime in that!

Angela - posted on 02/20/2010

Much like you I often find myself so busy attending to everyone else's needs (husband, 18 and 5 yr old daughters') that I neglect my own. You eventually find yourself feeling frustrated and overwhelmed on a regular basis. The only way to overcome/prevent this is to "just do it"! It may only be small time blocks daily or schedule it for yourself weekly but "get it in"! It may be waking up before everyone else in the morning, staying up while they're asleep, short shopping trip after work, hair/nail appointment, uniterrupted relaxing bath with a book, candles and glass of wine. Whatever it is you like...but if we don't take care of ourselves we'll eventually be unable to take care of anyone else...Gotta show yourself some love too and there's no crime in that!

Shella - posted on 02/17/2010

I think finding you time sometimes can make you feel guilty since its really taking time away from your child but if yu think about it. Just the same way that you need to sleep in order to let your mind and body recoup its the same with your child to offer him the best possible you. You know if you can drop him off to a family members house for a house or two or a close friend who absolutly adores him or her. My daughters God father whenever his not working is always very willing to take her but I feel as a mother, working and going to school, I dont have very many friends left that are on my same schedule.

Melissia - posted on 02/17/2010

I am a young mother. I am 36 with a 20 year old daughter and a 15 month old granddaughter. I also have a 15 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. I work a full time job and I am the taxi driver for my kids activities and their friend time. Since I became a mother at such a young age I do not have "friends". We have NO family around to keep the kids and getting them both to go somewhere at the same time is almost impossible. I am to the point now that I am depressed and feeling really lonely. I have 1 hour in the mornings when I wake up at 5 am but that hour is spent balancing accounts, paying bills and breakfast. I still have not figured out what "My Time" is. Is there really such a thing?

Lorraine - posted on 02/15/2010

I am having a hard time for myself...really! I never gave time for myself and now experiencing a heart ailment....if i could only get back in time....i ca't leave my kids on their own....coz i really love being with them...even sometimes wanted to enjoy!

Heather - posted on 02/15/2010

It's been a real struggle between the work, husband, baby, and the guilt to give myself time. However, if mom is not good things start to fall apart. I recently started seeing a psychiatrist to help me work out handling stress and problem solving. (You don't need a doctor for this though, take stress management classes.) I am working on my masters as well. I found that taking workout classes at the gym with other mother helps. We bring the babies and they like it especially Zumba. My husband has recently been helping me by taking the baby for a couple hours at night a few times a week. Take care of yourself. Reach out into the community even if it costs a few dollars. I took the baby to the Aquarium and the indoor swimming pool.

Jeanette - posted on 02/11/2010

I agree although I have a slightly different predicament. At first I stayed at home with my kids but then my husband became disabled. He now stays at home and I work roughly 60-70 hours a week as a psych tech to cover all the bills. The problem is that on my time off he wants time off which I totally understand, but so do I. GGGRRR!!!!

Chikodi - posted on 02/11/2010

It is a big problem for me. I go to work,come back and attend to the kids, and before you know it, its dark. Week ends are always for domestic stuffs. It can really be tiring doing one particular thing at a time without making out time for me.

JOY - posted on 02/10/2010

sneak home and watch a DVRed show before picking up the kids at daycare :)

Aidahs - posted on 02/08/2010

only one at the moment and he's only 2yrs old.

Natasha - posted on 02/08/2010

how old is your kids?

Aidahs - posted on 02/08/2010

I couldn't find this "me time" oh well unless if i'm working, i get more free time for myself but of course with with workloads as well. I couldn't go out with my friends since i felt guilty leaving my boy at home. I didn't spend much time at home with him, i couldn't go out with a happy heart just to spend my own sweet time.

Maggie - posted on 02/05/2010

You have to make it and hope your spouse or significant other understands. I feel more guilty making "me" time then I do about working. It's hard and you almost feel like you're doing something illegal but I think grocery shopping is me time and that's okay, set aside a set day or time and make sure everyone knows that mommy is busy at this time on this day and stick to it!

Kyra - posted on 02/05/2010

4 or 5 am wake up is my me time and with the Lord. Praying and casting my care upon Him for He cares for me, helps tremendously. Besides, my daughter puts me to bed most nights. Her internal clock is very different from mine.

Mona - posted on 02/04/2010

It is very important to find time for yourself. I think that is my charging plug. I get out with bunch of friends once a month ( either go out or get together at someones place) for 3 hours and chill out. Normally we do this on Sat or Sun so that Dad's can baby sit the kids and they can also have Daddy time.

I try to pursue all my activities when the kids are asleep I have stopped feeling guilty for doing such things, since i think if you can keep a good balance between your work and family, you should feel Good. That's the biggest achievement, a working women/mom needs to have.

Nikki - posted on 02/04/2010

I totally understand where your coming from, i myself am a working mum and 2 jobs under my belt with 2 kids on top as well and it probably doesn't make it any better that my husband travels out of town for work. The way i cope with it is to go burn all my days uproarings in the gym and it's an awesome way to relax your body and unwind, Then i come home feeling like a new person ready to take on the next activities. If i can't do that i simply take them up to the park and let them run wild...it's probably the best way to have a bit of 'me time' but to the kids your spending time with them doing nothing but watching them run around crazy.

Anna - posted on 02/01/2010

I take my lunch break every day and go to the gym and have an intense work out! Granted it isn't "me" time that I enjoy but it's all I can get. I work full time and after I get home and put my daughter to bed I spend that time cleaning..organizing..laundry..yoga and then I usually pass out without even getting under the covers. I feel like I am on the brink of insanity all the time.

Vanita - posted on 01/30/2010

I also found 'me time' when I get to do a work out at gym for an hour. Totally enjoy my one hour and the rest of the day just falls into place.

Misty - posted on 01/30/2010

WOW, reading what you ladies have put down for "me time" has blown me away. I don't know what me time is. I take my drive to and from work as my Quiet time. As soon as I walk in the house, the noise it at top levels and does not back down until bedtime. By then, I am ready to go to sleep also. Maybe when my girls are older I can steal away a little time, but for now, my 20 minute drive is what I get.

Cathlyn - posted on 01/29/2010

I used to wonder if there was such a thing as me time- between kids and work and online classes and a fiance- does it really exist?? But then I realized that instead of thinking about all the things I wish I could do, I started doing them- one at a time...planting a small garden in the summer and getting up at 5:50- just 30 minutes before everyone else to tend to it....scrapbooking at midnight so that I could show the pictures the next day...time isn't always convenient, but you can find it.

Bhavna - posted on 01/29/2010

On work days there is no time. On weekends if kids are sleeping, i get up early and make tea and read a book or mag, that is where i get "me time". I really enjoy it. Then womens day out where we(me and other moms) go shopping and eating and spend half day enjoying ourself once in few months is also refreshing.

Kristy - posted on 01/28/2010

Man I would love me time. Even just in the bathroom. But when I may have the chance and don't have to work I feel guilty leaving her with some one so I don't I always take her with me or us, no matter what we are doing as long as it'd kid friendly, and if it is not we don't go. Is that bad?

Selena - posted on 01/28/2010

I understand you when you talk about having "me time". I mentioned me time to my husband and he looked at me like I was speaking a different language(lol).



I too try to get some me time in the shower. It's very refreshing. I also recommend setting something up with your spouse where he looks after your child/children for 30 minutes to an hour and you do the same. That way you both have the " me time you so desperately need and deserve.



In my spare time "me time" I try to read and get caught up on research for a business I am looking to start very soon.

Jill - posted on 01/27/2010

Me time? What's that? I haven't had me time in months.

Julie - posted on 01/27/2010

First I am a single mom of 2 kids and work full time... I have a 10 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. I have a great circle of family and friends. I have several friends that are also single mothers we usually can trade babysitting so each of us can go out weather on a date or just to the store. My aunt is always willing to watch the kids for me on the weekends. I call her and she usually says ok bring them now. I then can go out to dinner with my friends or on a date. . some times when I just need me time and don't have the money or time to go out. I go outside for a while. weather it's just to read a book or talk on the phone. I actually have been able to schedule me time once a week. Sunday mornings I go to the Coffee Shop while my grandmother takes the kids to church. It works great by the time I am done with my coffee shop visit the kids are out of church. To me there are 2 types of me time. 1. just need to get away time 2. emergency me time. 1. Me time - is my coffee shop time 2. my emergency me time is when I am doing daily chores and all the sudden realize I need a break Now I need a me time ASAP. #2 usually means that I "phone a friend" and get a baby sitter right now other wise I'm going to go crazy. usually mean I leave for about an hour or two and just go else where.

Darcy - posted on 01/26/2010

Thank you for sharing yours, its nice to talk to people that are going similar situations

Mj - posted on 01/26/2010

Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

Darcy - posted on 01/26/2010

Its unbelivable but i find myself in the same situation my son is such a mama's boy if he cries for me i cant stop myself from going to be him. My husband thinks that i am spoiling him.

Jody - posted on 01/26/2010

I went 7 years with NO me time, and it's awful. I'm just now getting back into my activities, like working out, bike riding, etc. I always had my son to take care of, plus working full time, and the cooking, chores and pets that needed attention. Unfortunately, I do NOT have a helpful husband, so it was always up to me to watch our son, plus he preferred it that way anyway. He's old enough now that he can watch a movie or read books by himself so that I can have my workout time, and, boy, does it feel good to have that time for myself back again! It can be difficult, but it is SO important to take care of yourself in addition to taking care of the child and everything else. If nothing else, moms need it for stress relief, and too much stress obviously has a negative impact on everyone.

Now I take time for myself either right before or right after dinner, depending how things fall. Either way, I'm claiming that time for me.

Ayse - posted on 01/25/2010

i drop my son off the daycare just to run errands and dont have to worry about feeding and changing a baby, it makes things much easier.

Kirsty - posted on 01/25/2010

Me time whats that again?? I wish I had me time lol but you are right it is important to find time for yourself but its hard like you i work fulltime and while looking after 3 kids the dog and now my partner who has broke his leg 'me time time' seemslike a made up thing. Even a nice soak in the bath ends in some one banging on my bathroom door wanting te loo or the kids arguing over whos turn it is on the games lol Think i need to ring the twilight books again thats the only time i managed to switch off lol hope your finding some you time still xx

Deborah K. - posted on 01/25/2010

I totally relate to what you're going thru! I'm so glad I can finally cut my work hours and spend more time with my family. My fiancee started his own business which is already picking up fast and helping us more financially. Up until now every day has been hectic and stressfull from demands of work, raising my son, selling Avon, and helping to get our family business going. If it's busy now I know it's going to get busier - like feast or famine LOL!

Gail - posted on 01/25/2010

Like every working mums schedule, you need to book it in!! Your time!! I get up and go for a walk in the mornings before hubby goes to work... just means having kids things ready the night before. And I live for my 1 hour monthly massage!! And time with close girl friends! Never was a routine girl, fly by the pants, but with kids, it's all about routine and schedules......... unfortunately, but necessary!

Mj - posted on 01/24/2010

I am a working and at the same time breastfeeding mom. My OB-Gyne suggested that the time my baby get to sleep, it's time for me also to sleep in order to get enough rest. However, I still need time to take care or spend quality time with my husband instead of sleeping early. I need you moms to solicit your ideas on how to get enough sleep and rest by balancing my time towards work and between my husband and baby.. I am so worried with my eyebags and i feel like my face is not as fresh or young looking compare last year. Thanks. MJ, 28 y.o.

Ashley - posted on 01/24/2010

I rarely have "me time"....haha. I work full time and then start my mommy job the moment I walk through the door. I then try to spend time with my husband each night so he's not neglected while I'm also trying to catch up on housework. When the weekend comes, I'm with my son full time. I do ask my mother in law on occasion to watch my son so I can run errands. This is the only time I have to myself and I try to make the most of it.

Racheal - posted on 01/24/2010

Hiya! I am new here. Thankfully my hubby tries to give me time at least 3 times a week. Even if its to go to store to buy myself a pop. I often think how grateful I am to have such a wonderful hubby.

Sandra - posted on 01/24/2010

It can be so hard b/c you always feel like you are cheating someone else/mainly your children. I find that if my son and I sit down and read [at the same time different books] and have a little treat it is good for us both!

Tatiana - posted on 01/23/2010

Lately I haven't been able to get any "me" time, between waking up early, get my son ready for school, drop him off, going to work, from there I have to pick up Lukas from school, take him home, cook, get ready to go to school, meet my husband ( so he can take care of Lukas ). I get home around 9:30 - 10pm, exhausted, and then have to do homework...it's crazy...sometimes I wish the day had more hours...

Leah - posted on 01/23/2010

I feel that some people think because you work outside the home that you should not need any ME time however as working mom with a 2 year old son sometimes I need a break.Don't get me wrong I love spending all the time I can with my son and my husband but I feel if I don't take time for myself I am not the best mom or wife that I could be.I would love to use my time at work as ME time but my job is very stressfull. so I try at least once a month to get together with a girlfriend to go shop and eat or just hang out and take a walk I feel if I do this I am not as stressed out and I am able to focus all the other time that I with my son and husband soley on them instead of thinking about all the stress and how I just need a break.I think taking a little ME time every now and then makes me a better wife and mommy!

Erin - posted on 01/23/2010

I work 4 days a week and my me time is my other job, lia sophia. I love the girl time and the party time! It's when I get to be me, and not mom! Plus I make a great additional income without taking up too much of my time!

Dudu - posted on 01/21/2010

i put my son to bed at 8pm, after that its 'me' time , altho im ever so exhausted by then!

Lorena - posted on 01/21/2010

I plan a girls night once every month!

Zelphina - posted on 01/21/2010

I have a group that talks 3 days a week ,Healthy , Fit and Sexy. We Empower each other with learning about our health, motivating each other and self affirmation. I would like to welcome anyone to join.It is only 30 min out of your day and you don't have to be on all 3 days if you don't want. This is Me time and I so welcome Mon., Wed.,& Fri.
Call 580-229-3629 to get the phone number please.We do not sale anything here ladies.You can also skype me at zelphina

Michele - posted on 01/21/2010

oh man, no kidding O.o