Mommy Happiness is Scheduling Me-Time

Most moms I know live for their kids.  The daily routine is based around the child’s activities and playdates.  Meal time is focused on the children’s palettes.   The family budget is bombarded by preschool, camps, kids’ clothes and supplies.  Trust me, I get it.  It’s easy to let the little monsters take over.  And, just when it seems they’re winning, I remember this: I’m the adult, I’m the decision-maker, I’m gonna take back the reigns.

Now don’t get me wrong:  What my kids want to eat definitely influences what I cook.  Swim lessons and art camp are definitely scheduled into our routine.  And preschool is a big cost for us.  But one thing I try to think about throughout the day is this: am I getting what I need out of my life to be happy?

I was putting together a daily schedule a few weeks ago to help me manage my work flow in a more efficient manner.  To do that, I scheduled in time to be with the children, clean, shop, cook, and even time to hang with the hubs.  What I realized several days later, is that I forgot to schedule in time for me.  Cleaning is not me-time.  Despite how much I enjoy cooking, peeling carrots is not me-time.  Neither is grocery shopping.  So, I took out a big ‘ol Sharpie marker and started carving out slivers of time to devote to what I want to do for me.

I scheduled an early morning run for every day of the week.  My husband understands that he’s on kid duty in the mornings now until he has to go off to work.  This allows me to get my daily run (and shower in) before he heads off to work at 7:45.  I also scheduled in a stop-time for the day.  No more social media, computers or cell phones after 10pm.  That’s my time for a craft beer and a TV episode or two before bed.

Another thing I’ve scheduled?  Mani/pedi’s and hair appointments.  I don’t do either of these often, but they are on my calendar weeks to months in advance.   I’ll never let myself go get my nails done or have my hair cut if I don’t book the appointment way ahead of time.  I wouldn’t let the kids go for too long to get their hair cut.  I’m always reminding my husband to go in for a trim.  But myself?  I forget to take care of me!  I deserve to get a hair cut, and my runner’s feet deserve a little pedicure every now and then.

With children, so much of our lives revolve around them.  With working husbands, a lot of our free time goes to making sure their needs are taken care of.  YOU need to take care of YOU!  Schedule your me-time into the day.  Book a daily Yoga class or map out a run.  Get up early to enjoy a cup of coffee and breakfast to yourself.  Set a time to turn off electronics on a daily basis so you can read a book.  Book an appointment to get a spa service or slate a few hours next weekend to go shopping to get some fresh lingerie (I just retired my maternity underwear the other day… my youngest son is a year old!).

Remember to take care of you.  You’ll be happier for it and so will the whole family!

P.S. When I previewed this post, I realized… all of my me-time photos involve my feet.  Kind of bizarre, huh?