I used to tire myself out trying to spend quality time with my children, only to find myself burntout, frustrated and irritable. I've since come to realise that the best gift a mother can give her child is a happy mother.
"Me Time" for me is not a 'good to have' thing, it is essential, and given top priority! I find that by guarding my recharging time, it greatly increases my patience and calmness, and helps me enjoy my children more.
There are no hard and fast rules about what Me Time should look like, but here are a few guidelines that I have found useful:
- Learn something new (preferably something that's not related to your children's education!)
It's very satisfying to know that you are growing in other areas and that you have a goal to work towards. I love to read, attend classes, or watch "How to" Youtube videos! - Be creative
Most of us have slipped into consumer mode and find it easier to CONSUME (eg. watch TV, surf Facebook) as opposed to CREATE. There are a million ways we can step out of passivity and enjoy our creativity - cooking, baking, handicraft, writing, blogging, making music, decorating our home... there are no limits or boundaries! - Spend time in nature
Try walking on sand, swimming in the sea, or taking a quiet stroll through the forest alone. There's something therapeutic and invigorating about listening to the gentle sounds of nature and surrounding yourself in greenery. - Quiet reflection
Whatever your religious or spiritual inclinations, it's always helpful to spend at least a few minutes a day nurturing your inner space, be it through reflection, journalling, prayer, or meditation.
"But I don't have time for Me Time!"
Not all of us are blessed with a regular time slot where we can be completely free, and I remember times where the only breather I had all day was those precious few minutes in the toilet! (Yes, ask any stay-home-mum with more than one child!)
One way around this, is to identify what you enjoy doing, and work that into the daily routine. I enjoy singing so we now sing our way through the day, as we do chores, and as we transit from one activity to the next. I don't have the luxury of going to a yoga class without the kids, so we have an Exercise Time where we lay out the mats, the little girl practices her gymnastics, the boy practises Aikido, and I do my yoga. Sometimes I bring them to a quiet playground and I do yoga there. If you enjoy running, jog around the playground! If you enjoy dancing, dance while you do your chores! You get the idea.
Children need Me Time too
Every day, we try to allocate at least half an hour of quiet, unsupervised time for each child to spend alone in their own private corner. We find that the most creative crafts and play often emerge during this time, and parents get to have their Me Time at the same time!
Here's an earlier post I wrote about Me Time for Children.
Next up on the "Me Time" Blog Train
This post is part of a blog train initiated by Prayerfull Mum. Next up on the blog train is Little Lamb Rachel. Rachel is a full time working mum of 3 kids and the blog she started almost 8 years ago is now documenting snippets of her children, parenting and life's journey.
