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One of the toughest things I face as a work at home mom is making time for me. I give so much to my daughter, to my husband, to my family and friends, and to my home. Very rarely do I put any focus on myself. It is definitely important to schedule regular “me” time though. I feel better for it and more motivated to get things done. Here are some great ways to spend more time on you.

1)Schedule are regular “girls night out” with friends. Spending time out can be a great way to reconnect with friends and recharge. I like to get together with my friends once every two months or so and spend the whole day scrapbooking. A night out can be as simple as meeting at a coffee shop for a latte or going out to dinner and drinks.

2)Take up a hobby. Many hobbies can be done right in your home which makes it very easy to spend time having fun. Knitting, scrapbooking, gardening, and reading are all popular hobbies. Schedule time once a week to spend time on your hobby. While your children are sleeping is the perfect time to spend on your hobby.

3)Start exercising. Buy a workout DVD, join a gym, get a piece of workout equipment and get started. Nothing makes you feel better than working your body. If you can’t get away from your kids in order to workout, consider getting a jogging stroller or bike trailer. They will be able to ride in comfort while you exercise. Give them some snacks and a book and off you go. You may find you are able to clear your mind while you are exercising and be able to brainstorm new ideas.

4)Take a bubble bath. Put on some soft music, grab a glass of wine (or the indulgence of your choice, a magazine, and head for the bathroom. Even spending just 10 minutes in the bathtub relaxing can be a great way to lift your mood. Make sure there is someone else to watch your kids and lock the door.

5)Go to the Spa. I love having a spa pedicure. I can bring a book, relax in the chair, and soak my feet, all while letting someone else do the clipping and polishing. This is an expensive indulgence though and I rarely go. Sometimes I can talk my husband into giving me a pedicure and that is a great way for us to spend some time together. Look into your local beauty colleges for a low cost alternative.

6)Hire a babysitter. Find someone that you trust with your children and go out. This can also be turned into “we” time with your spouse or partner.

7)Go shopping. Sometimes after my daughter is in bed for the evening and my husband has to get some work done around the house, I will go out shopping by myself. It can be as simple as a trip to the grocery store. The aisles are not crowded, the store is quite and it has a coffee shop. I can sip a latte while I shop. I love being able to take my time and not have to rush through the store wondering how long a bag of fish crackers are going to keep my daughter occupied in the shopping cart.

8)Volunteer. I know that this falls into the taking care of others category, but there is nothing quite like giving to others that are really in need of your help. Find a charity or group that you are interested in and ask if they need volunteers. Spending a few hours a week or a month helping those that are less fortunate can be good for the soul.

9)Read a book. Get your kids working on an art project that they can do themselves and start reading. Whether it is a novel or a tabloid magazine, a fifteen minute reading session about something non-parenting related can be a great way to decompress. Alternatively a book on CD loaded into your MP3 player and listened to on headphones is a great way to get away without going anywhere.

10)Sign your child up for a class or sport. Once your child is 3 and potty trained, the opportunities to have regularly scheduled me time increase. Find an art class, dance class, or sport through your local Parks and Recreation Department. The class may only meet for 45 minutes once a week, but this is great time to chat with other parents or spend some time on a hobby.

What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy “me” time? Do you make time for yourself on a regular basis? I know that I feel recharged and energized from “me” time and I highly recommend it.

Warmly,
Mia