Learning how to balance family time and your time as a SAHM is probably one of the hardest things about being a parent. Since becoming a mom, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about being able to have more time to myself. It’s so hard to come by, but as a mom, it’s so important to make sure you’re taking the time to care for yourself. A little time alone rejuvenates your mind and body, helping you feel more relaxed and rested. That, in turn, gives you more patience and energy to keep up with your kids. Here are some of my tips for finding that balance between your time and family time.
Related-> 3 Challenges of Being a Stay-at-Home-Mom
How to Balance Family Time and You Time as a SAHM
Carve out some time for yourself every single day
Sounds impossible, but it is doable. As much as we want our kids to be happy, it’s key to remember that we deserve to be happy too. What everyday things make you happy? Personally, I love to read, so I try to take a few minutes every day to lose myself in a book. Once or twice a week, I won’t watch TV after my little guy is in bed and I read instead. It’s simple, and more importantly, it’s sustainable.
Re-evaluate and Prioritize
If there are things in your life that eat up your time for no real reason, maybe you need to re-evaluate. When my son was a newborn, I felt like I was too busy to do anything at all. Yes, those years are exhausting, but my son also napped for long stretches several times a day. Instead of doing things that I actually enjoyed, I found myself wasting hours of time on social media, or surfing the internet mindlessly. It took me a few months to realize that I could have been using my time in much better ways, and even using some of it for myself. Now when I have a bit of spare time, I try to use it wisely… although I’d be lying if I said I didn’t just zone out on the couch and watch reality TV!
Schedule you time
Honestly, I always thought it didn’t really sound like all that much fun to have to pencil “Me” time into the calendar, but it’s a must as a busy mom. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, I ask my mom to babysit my son. I do take care of things around the house while I’m alone, but I always make sure that I have some time just to sit and read, watch a bit of TV, or call a friend. I also look at spending time alone with my husband as “Me” time, because I really need to be able to unwind and be alone with him away from the house. We try to get out and have a date once in a while, which helps us reconnect.
It does seem like an oxymoron, but taking time away from your family is incredibly important for all of you. As moms, we have to remember that our own physical, emotional and spiritual needs are just as important as everyone else’s in the family. When we take the time to prioritize and nurture ourselves, we become happier moms and partners.
That’s great advice— scheduling is something that’s a bit of struggle for me. But I guess that comes hand in hand with prioritizing. I probably need to practice more of it! :)
— DT | Here I Scribble
Being a SAHM is a hard thing. Right now, I am a WAHM but I’ve been a SAHM too for along time and I can really relate.
I am not in this position or had this full experience but it reads like great advice to me.
When it comes to these things, time management will always be important. It’s also great if you choose to follow a schedule. As a stay at home mom, you’re definitely going to yearn for some me-time, and it’s important that you give time for yourself.
Hardest thing for me is finding me time.
Great advice. Balancing can be so tricky, it is something I have to actively work on
It’s all gotta start with making sure that you get enough sleep at night
oh something that I have never been able to balance as with me family always comes first but maybe one time I will find time for me
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Of course family comes first!! But I know myself, and when I feel more rested and/or rejuvenated after a little “me” time, I have more patience and energy:) Another great way to find some time to yourself is to trade babysitting duty with a mom friend for an hour or two. Lifesaving!
This makes me so nervous to have family one day haha. Great post!
Great advice! For me, we have downtime where we just spend quiet time together and chatting away quietly. It’s easier for me now since my kid is older – he could play with his toys while I do my thing.
Good advice! I don’t have kids but I can imagine how important it must be for mom to schedule in their “me” time.
Sound advice! From my perspective, with 3 teens, do enjoy the years with little ones. In retrospect, it passed by really quickly!