If you’re a mum, you may forget the last time you enjoyed a real break from household chores and the responsibility of raising children. We commend your efforts, but don’t you think it might be time for a bit of time all to yourself? If you make time to do something just for you, you’ll want to use that time wisely. Here are a few of our favourite tips for mums who finally take a real break.
The truth about moms and how much time off they really get
Did you know that on the average, mums get fewer than twenty minutes a day to themselves? It’s true, according to recent poll results published in the UK Daily Mail. Mums manage nearly all the household duties such as cleaning, shopping and preparing family meals, as well. If you do the maths, it’s easy to see why mums who typically enjoy less than 90 minutes a week of ‘me time’ tend to be frazzled, overwhelmed and overstressed.
The Daily Mail poll had thousands of respondents, and nearly all of them said they wished they could take a real break now and then. Some cited the decline of their own creative and artistic endeavours, some suggested it was easier for their partner to wind down and relax after a hard day’s work.
How other mums spend their downtime
The mums polled described numerous treats they gave themselves when they did have a little down time on their own. Reading a book, sipping a cup of tea and taking a nap were the top-mentioned relaxations mums afforded themselves. Other me-time activities included making to-do lists, rearranging furniture and deep-cleaning the house. Those last three sound more like work than fun, don’t they?
Mums who need a break can make the most of their downtime with a bit of advance planning, says Parenting magazine. First, don’t discount your need for time off now and then. Everyone needs to take a break sometimes, and mums are no exception. Don’t think your kids will suffer if you leave them in the care of another responsible adult for an afternoon. Don’t feel bad about asking your husband to take over parenting duties, either. You deserve a mental health break and besides, they’re his kids, too.
Art and music to soothe a mums mind
Make time for art and music breaks, and you may perform better as a mum when you return. Set up an easel in the garden or build a pottery studio in your garage. Visit it whenever you can, and you may create beautiful things while you let your cares and stresses float away. If a formal studio is beyond your means, go ahead and download a free Android art app on Google Play. Working with patterns and outlines and colours can fill your break time with creative bliss.
If you’re a busy mum, good for you. Just don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with household chores and driving kids around town. Happy mums raise happy kids.
Author Sophia Thomas relishes any time she gets to herself; usually if it’s not the kids hammering on the bathroom door it’s the dog sat outside whining for her!
Great post. I rarely get time to myself so much so that I feel like I’ve lost the ability to relax. I had a bath this morning and tried to close my eyes and do nothing. I ended up clenching my teeth and scrunching my eyes closed for a full 10 mins before getting out. Not relaxing at all!
I tend to do my blogging things when I get time to myself otherwise it’s cleaning the house.