SAHM's of toddlers: How do you ever get time to yourself?

Question

SAHM's of toddlers: How do you ever get time to yourself? I'm always swamped with things to do and I never seem to have any time to myself.

Answer 1

I don't on a regular basis. Sometimes when my husband comes home, I leave the kids with him to take some time to go to the mall just to walk around or to the bookstore or to Starbucks. This doesn't happen very often. Unfortunately, when it does, all I can think about is the laundry piling up at home, or the toys that need to be put away, or the dishwasher that needs to be emptied. I have just accepted it and keep reminding myself that the kids will not be little forever, and someday I'll have a chance to do things for myself.

Answer 2

One idea would be to swap babysitting with another SAHM once a week or so. Each of you has a morning where you look after each other's child. Children get a chance to socialize; and you get some time.

Maybe a responsible college student/jr or sr high student would come over 1-2 hours an afternoon to babysit if there are things that you really need to get done.

Another idea is to establish "quiet time" at your house. After lunch is usually a good time. Quiet time is a time when child(ren) go to their room and look at books, lie on their bed(s) or play quietly. You will have to be consistent and it will take a while to establish. You may also need to build the time up over several weeks. Sometimes it's hard for toddlers to away from mom. Start with 10 - 15 minutes and build from there. You get a small breather.

I have used movies with my kids. Thirty minute educational movies for toddlers. Don't just dump them in front of the "babysitter" for extended times.

My time for myself is always after the kids go to bed.

Also, sometimes you just have to let things go.

Good luck. You do deserve some time for yourself. You're not just doing it for youself. You AND your family will be happier when you get a chance to re-energize.

Answer 3

Don't worry so much about keeping the house clean all the time. Those things can wait when you need some "me time." Does your toddler take naps? That's a perfect time to do something for yourself, even if it's just to take a shower, read a book, or take a nap for yourself. Also if you can drop your toddler off with a babysitter one day a week that will give you lots of time to do things on your own. Good luck!

Answer 4

My ex-mother inlaw once told me that when your children go to bed you should take time to yourself. It can be difficult if you don't get them to bed at a reasonable hour, but it will be rewarding as well. You can always find minutes to yourself during the day.. nap time used to be my favorite time. Or place a tv and vcr in the child's room, and put a movie on. Put up a baby gate, so that they may play with their things in a safe enviroment and have the televison for a companion. I don't recommend doing this all the time, but it will give the child time to learn to amuse him or herself and you some time to yourself. It also leaves the door open so that you can hear exactly what is going on in the room. Make sure to chekc on the child regularly. It's much better then using the playpen idea, because the child has more room to move. Toddlers need that space to move and burn off energy.

Answer 5

I have a 3 year old and a 2 year old. Both are boys. I put them to bed at night about 2 hours before I go to bed. That gives me "me time" plus time to wind down before bed. During the day I don't really have any time to myself because I watch 3 other little boys as well so the time at the end of the day is my sanity.

Answer 6

I also am a stay at home mom. I have a 3 yr old boy and 10 mth old daughter. I rarely if ever get time to myself. My husband works 14-18 hrs a day, my parents have their own life, and I am breastfeeding my daughter. Sometimes if I can get my son to take a nap and my daughter to take one at the same time, I can take a bath or read a book. My showers usually consist of them being in with me, laundry is folded then knocked down, and dishes are washed but then dirty again...all in one day. If you can allot yourself one hour each day to take some "me" time, take it. Good Luck.

Answer 7

The baby and I go to bed at the same time - around 10pm, that way I can get up early about 6, and he usually sleep until 8 or 9. that gives me a couple of hours in the morning. Anyhting I don't want his "help" with, I can get done.

Answer 8

Before my husband left with the military it was easy to get time for myself but now I'm living as a single mother of one so its a bit harder. This is how I deal. Put the kid(s) down to bed and stay up an extra hour. Granted your losing sleep but your having "me time". that you need. I take that time to chat with my girls on-line. Worst thing you can do is use that extra hour to clean. BTW,. to get more appropriate advice you should post how old your child is and how many you have.

Answer 9

I took a shower today with an audience. I put my kids to bed by 8pm so I can have a couple of hours to myself at night to clean or read. During the day, my kids help with a lot of the chores. They help unload the drier and fold their own clothes. They like to dust and set the table. It makes for less to do at night.

Answer 10

Once a day I put a video (like Baby Einstein, ot Hi-5) on for 30 minutes, so I can actually sit on the couch and read.