Why Me-Time is Important for Moms

by Alli

There’s nothing like becoming a mom to help you reassess your place in the world and your attitude towards life. It’s probably fair to say that many of us are pretty self-centered throughout our teens. Of course, we love and care for the people close to us, but if we’re being honest, many people put themselves first.

Why Me-Time is Important for Moms

All that changes from the moment you become a mom and realize that this tiny person’s well-being is entirely dependent on you and your spouse as their parents. With that responsibility comes a dilution of our focus on ourselves as we all tend to put our children first. And so it should be – to a certain extent. The problem is that many of us moms take it too far and leave no time in our busy lives for us. We deny ourselves certain pleasures that we used to take for granted as our kids become all-consuming.

Why Me-Time is Important for Moms

However admirable this may seem, there’s a danger in not giving yourself any time to relax and be a little self-indulgent. You risk burning out on energy to give to others and take care of everything and becoming irritable if you don’t get any downtime. That’s why it’s important to schedule in some ways for you to take five, no matter how busy your day is. Here are just a few ways you can do just that.

How to Squeeze in Me-Time for Moms

Organize Your Own Playdates

We moms are so busy sorting out our children’s social lives that we often let ours fade away. Next time you’re booking in a playdate for the kids, take the time to book in a get together with one of your own friends. Arrange it so that it can be just the two of you and you can leave your mom or wife hat at home for a few hours.

Moms - Why Me-Time is so Important

You’ll get to catch up on each other’s news without fear of interruption from the kids and to re-connect as individuals, rather than always being in your mom-role. An ideal activity would be a treatment at a spa or booking a lovely restaurant for a girls’ lunch.

Follow the Kids’ Example and Play

Thanks to the huge amount of different gaming options we have on our smartphones today, taking time out to play a game for ten minutes is no biggie. The hard part is deciding what we play – we almost have too many choices. If you like the idea of socializing while you play, then joining in some of the free bingo games at sites such as mFortune is hard to beat. Not only do you get to play rounds of quickfire bingo for free as you get a welcome bonus when you first sign up, but you can socialize with other players in the chat rooms while you play.

Thanks to the social nature of the game, bingo is great for those times when it can feel a little isolated being at home with the kids. You can have instant company by logging in and starting a conversation with whoever is in the chat room. As the games can be played on a phone, it also means you’re not tied to your desktop – you can be out and about or anywhere in the house when you take some me-time to play bingo.

Write Down Your Feelings

Lots of us would like to keep a journal but often find there’s not enough time in the day to do it. However, if you think about it, it would only take a few minutes each day – and who’s really that busy that they can’t afford to spare that amount of time? It’s just a question of scheduling the time in. Commit to the idea and write every day for a month. See what benefits it brings in terms of helping you see what excites you about life, what brings you down, and what brings you joy. It’s often hard to think clearly when you’re busy running a house and looking after the kids; writing things down will help bring this useful clarity. Once you’ve started it, reflection is a habit that you’re likely to want to keep up.

Why Me-Time is Important for Moms

We all need a break from the daily routine every now and then – moms included. Me-time isn’t about being self-indulgent, it’s a key part of self-preservation. An added bonus is that it will actually help to make you a better mom – as you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm when you’ve taken a small amount of time for yourself.

How do you squeeze in a little me-time?

18 comments

Sandy January 6, 2017 - 10:06 am

Very well-said. Good post.

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Giannina Guy January 6, 2017 - 10:34 am

I think we all need a little me time, no matter what our responsibilities in life, as a busy mum of three I have certainly learned that over the years. The trick is to take this time out and not feel guilty about it, as you say, you are no good to anyone if you burn out!

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candy January 6, 2017 - 10:45 am

I have kept a journal for a long time and writing does help. It isn’t selfish to want me time. Makes you a happier person everyone is happier.

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Heather January 6, 2017 - 11:01 am

This is SO true! I know I put my kids before everything even my health and well being. I love these tips for giving myself a little attention. I make it a point to go out with a friend for coffee once a week so that I don’t feel so stir crazy in this house. I also can have some grown up conversation and that is wonderful. I like the idea of starting a journal! I need to do that!

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Katie Moseman January 6, 2017 - 11:51 am

The elusive me time! I love to take a hot bath, or go window shopping… maybe stop by my favorite coffee shop, too!

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Terri Beavers January 6, 2017 - 11:54 am

I love your tips. It’s important for everyone to have me time. I’m a grandmother and even though I officially live alone, I always seem to have grand kids here, lol. I plan trips just for me even if it’s just a day trip to go shopping. I feel so much better after getting away and taking a break.

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Rebecca Swenor January 6, 2017 - 1:10 pm

This is awesome information and tips for any busy mom. It is really so important to have me time away from the kids once in awhile. We can’t take care of anyone else if we don’t take care of ourselves. Spending time on the computer to play a game and chat with an adult can indeed help you feel less lonely. Thanks for sharing the information and tips.

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Ashley January 6, 2017 - 4:29 pm

I’ve struggled with this being a new mom. One of my goals for this year is to have a lot more me time.

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Claudia Krusch January 6, 2017 - 9:18 pm

I like to treat myself to a spa day once a month. It is a great way to relax and recharge my batteries. It is so important to remember to take some time for yourself.

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Lisa Favre January 6, 2017 - 10:15 pm

I’m a soon-to-be mom and so this post really hit home for me. When I give birth, I am looking most forward to a day at the spa!

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Jacqui @FlightsFancyMom January 6, 2017 - 11:40 pm

I’ve discovered this over the years. I’m a single mom and I’ve been able to have my me time when she’s at her dads. I try to get some good girls nights out in with my friends.

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Emily January 7, 2017 - 12:49 am

This is all very true! It is so difficult to put yourself first. I am a Stay at home mom and sometimes I just need some quiet, alone 🙂 I felt guilty about it initially but luckily I have a very supportive husband who forced me to take that time for me. It has been crucial for me.

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Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy January 8, 2017 - 2:04 am

So true, having 3 and soon to be 4 kids, I have very little me time. I do make a priority to go on dates with my husband a couple times a month. Having older kids watch the younger ones, makes a little time for me easier than if they were all very small.

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LaShawn January 8, 2017 - 9:31 am

Me time is so important for our state of minds! I am making a consious effort this year to actually schedule a me DAY once a month. Even if I do nothing but sit around and read a book alone, for 8 hours straight!

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Erica January 8, 2017 - 12:52 pm

I love every single thing about this post! It took me years to figure out that it was okay to give myself time to be me and to reset and refresh. Once I figured that out, I became a better person, and a better mom!

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rika January 8, 2017 - 7:55 pm

This is such a great reminder for moms! I went to Vegas for 4 days without my kids and husband… it was hard but actually bring my family closer than ever!

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Garf January 9, 2017 - 7:54 am

I am not a mom yet but I want some me-time every now and then. Last year, I went on vacation by myself for 1 month.

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Kendall Rayburn January 10, 2017 - 5:45 pm

Me time is so incredibly important, I need to schedule out time alone each day to relax and take a breather.

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