Finding time for Mommy

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Finding time for Mommy

Finding time for Mommy is tough but a must-do. We know that Mommy life is packed, whether you’re a stay-at-home Mom or a working Mom. It’s so easy to be others-centric when you’re a Mom. You cater to your children’s needs first, your husband’s requests first, before your own. Sometimes you’ve already drained yourself of helping out the family that you have no more energy to help yourself! Don’t worry, it happens; it’s happened to me several many times. But what I’ve been learning more and more is you have to take care of yourself better so you can take care of others better too! So finding time for yourself is of utmost importance.

Here’s how I find time for myself:

  • Tell my husband and my son I need me-time. Finding time for yourself is most effective when those around you know that you need that time. When I have to be on my own, whether it’s a break for a long bath or a need to go to the spa, I ask my husband to watch over Timmy first. I also make sure to tell Timmy where I’ll be since he tends to look for me the minute we’re apart. Making your “Mommy time” known teaches them both to value and respect others’ personal time. They also know that when I come back from my little break, I’m calmer, recharged, even a little saner.
  • Wake up before everyone else does. I catch up on my reading when my family is still asleep. The quiet time is also a wonderful moment in the day to say morning prayers and reflect on them. I like reading from inspirational books during early mornings. (see picture above – that’s a page from The Purpose Driven Life).
  • Go to a coffee shop and do things for myself. I do my coffee shop visits during weekdays when I go to work. But these visits mean not bringing work to the coffee shop, making grocery lists or updating the family budget. Coffee shop visits means grabbing moments within the workday when I could just enjoy a cup of coffee, read a good book or write.
  • Connect with friends. I’m not very fond of socials (super introvert alert!), but more and more I’m finding the joy in meeting up with friends. This doesn’t happen often, but when the opportunity comes up I try my best to join! Having dinner with friends or simply hanging out with them is a great way not only to reconnect with them, but with yourself outside of Mommy duties.
  • Join workshops that nurture your passions and interests. My weekends are strictly for the family, but once in awhile awesome workshops come along. Last March, it was the Blog Your Best Shot photography workshop. Two weekends ago I joined a two-day workshop called FLEX (Foundations of Leadership Excellence) by OCCI (Organizational Change Consultants International). I’ll write about my FLEX experience separately because it was so awesome!

How do you find time for yourself? Share your tips and stories! Let’s learn from each other. :)

Surprise Mommy Me Time
{Finding time for Mommy is a must!}

10 Comments on Finding time for Mommy

  1. Ma Teresa Grech Racal
    May 30, 2014 at 10:57 pm (10 years ago)

    Before summer began, my me-time was reading my current book in the morning with matching coffee time pa. hehehe! but when summer began nawala na. Bumawi naman ako sa tulog. Since school is just around the corner, I am excited to go back to my “me-time” in the mornings. One more that I really wanted to do is attend a WORKSHOP… probably if my schedule and budget will permit to do it, I will attend…

    Reply
    • Toni
      June 1, 2014 at 11:55 am (10 years ago)

      Thanks for sharing, Grech. Moms have more me-time nga when their kids go to school ‘no? 😀 There are several workshops that give great discounts! Any specific workshop you’re looking into joining? :)

      Reply
  2. joey @ 80 breakfasts
    June 3, 2014 at 12:05 am (10 years ago)

    I absolutely agree!! I have always believed that me-time is so important (even before I became a mother or wife). I need time just for me, whether it is treating myself to something or just quiet time to nap or daydream, in order to be a better human — and by extension and better wife and mother too :) Everyone needs is, and what’s more, I believe every woman deserves it! I always tell my friends: the best gift you can give your child is a happy mother! It may sound selfish at first but it’s not. Fill yourself with love, life, and wonderfulness and you will be able to genuinely give it in abundance to others :)

    I schedule “me-time” the same way I would schedule any important activity in my calendar, just slotting it in between other activities. Sometimes it’s the solo reflections of an early morning market jaunt, or the escape to the nailspa, or even an hour or uninterrupted reading after everyone else is asleep. This is even separate from “girl time” which is the time I do stuff with my girlfriends or “mom time” when I hang out just me and my mom :)

    Workshops are such a great idea! I am going to try that :) Any you recommend?

    Reply
    • Toni
      June 26, 2014 at 10:11 am (10 years ago)

      You can try workshops that you thought you’d never attend, a workshop that can help you discover and connect with yourself more, or a workshop that will build your skills!

      Workshops that have helped me connect with myself better are FLEX and ALC. I wrote about them here: http://www.wifelysteps.com/powerful-programs-live-inspired-excellent-life-flex-alc/ <3

      A workshop that has helped me with blogging has been the Blog Your Best Shot workshop! You can read about it here: http://www.wifelysteps.com/blog-your-best-shot/

      As for a workshop I never thought I’d attend, I’m still looking for that one. I’m looking for a quirky one. Or something that will push me out of my comfort zone. Like a cooking workshop. GAH.

      What do you think it will be for you, based on the three types above? 😀

      Reply
  3. joey @ 80 breakfasts
    June 3, 2014 at 12:06 am (10 years ago)

    Gads I’ve just realized I left such a long comment! Sorry!

    Reply
    • Toni
      June 26, 2014 at 10:08 am (10 years ago)

      I luv long comments, no worries! 😉

      Reply
  4. Lissa
    June 4, 2014 at 12:07 am (10 years ago)

    Thanks for posting this, Toni. I truly believe in finding time for yourself. I think anyone can benefit that whether or not you have kids. I find it perplexing that some moms think that you’re being selfish if you take time for yourself to get a massage, pedicure, shopping, etc. A relaxed mom is a better mom. I don’t feel guilty at all when I take those few moments for myself.

    For me, gym time is my me time. Not only does exercise relieve stress but I enjoy being with other people, working out, having a good time. I know some moms may say that they have no time but I honestly believe that they can take 10-15 minutes just to relax and meditate.

    Thanks for posting this!

    Reply
    • Toni
      June 26, 2014 at 10:07 am (10 years ago)

      Do you still do spinning classes? :) You’re one of the Moms I know who has mastered the art talaga of me-time! Galing!

      Reply
  5. `Lanie
    August 26, 2014 at 12:58 am (10 years ago)

    Hi Toni,

    Like you, I’m also an introvert kind of person, I don’t circulate much even when I was single. I’ve heard many times about ME-Time, and unfortunately, I never thought about it especially when I became a mom. I feel guilty doing or enjoying things by myself. But I think I should start doing it now :) Thank for the good post.

    Reply
    • Toni
      August 31, 2014 at 7:34 pm (10 years ago)

      No need for guilt. Embrace the free time on your own, and embrace the time you have with your kids when you’re with them! <3 :) Thanks for dropping by!

      Reply

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