Mommy’s Valuable Me Time During the Holiday

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”- Nelson Mandela

Mommy Me Time

Mommy me time is something I always struggle with and will probably always struggle with. It’s hard to think of yourself when you’re a mom because your first priority is the child/children and/or significant other. Heck, I can barely go to the bathroom alone. How will I ever manage any kind of me time, right?! Me time for a mom is easier said than done, but it can be done!! With the holidays here and everything on mom’s shoulders most of the time, me time becomes extremely important. Sometimes we try to be super moms during the holidays because we want to make it special for everyone, yet we forget the most special person.. ourselves! It’s time to take some time for ourselves as well.

What Is Me Time?

What is me time, you ask? Me time can be different for everyone. It is that time you chose for yourself. It can be five minutes or a full day. It can cost nothing to as much as you want to spend. It can be as simple as finishing the coffee you poured for yourself to a full day at the spa or shopping. For me, it’s having serenity, quiet or alone time for at least 2o minutes. Time to re-focus, relax and breathe. I find that when I have this I am a better person, mom, friend, and wife.

The Holidays

Christmas is my favorite time of year, but it can become very stressful. I have noticed with the years of being a mom that if I take some time for me that everything runs much more smoothly. The holidays require more of our time, planning, cooking, cleaning, socializing and energy. Sometimes it just feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done. So you may ask, “what can we do to make sure we get our me time and get things done?” I like to take that pumpkin spice latte or creme brûlée and either sit at Starbucks, a room in the house, the car or even a park alone and drink my coffee while tackling my to-do list. I also like to sip on my coffee while running an errand alone. This way I am getting “me time” and getting things done or organized. Now I know sometimes it’s hard to do anything alone.  DO NOT be afraid to ask that significant other for help. It is okay to ask for help and not be the super mom during the holidays. Now if your significant other can’t help and/or watch the children then try a relative or friend. I have also discovered Kidspark in New Tampa with a new location in Oldsmar. It is a daycare that is open 7 days a week with Saturday hours from 10am until midnight. They charge hourly or by the day. This is a great place when needing to run an errand, needing a couple hours to yourself or even day date with the hubby. Or there is always Care.com, finding someone to help babysit during the holidays can be really helpful.

My Top 10 Ideas for Me Time

1. Go to your local coffee or tea shop. Buy your favorite drink, sit, and enjoy the moment even if it only lasts a few minutes.

2. Get a massage at your local spa.

3. Take time to read your favorite book.

4. Take a walk in the sun for a few minutes.

5. Sit in a room and watch your favorite show.

6. Call a friend and run errands together.

7. Get a manicure or pedicure.

8. Take a yoga class.

9. Go for a run/walk or the gym.

10. Enjoy anything that makes you happy.  It could even be eating your favorite ice cream.

In closing, remember the most special part of the holidays is spending it with family. If you’re stressed and not happy then the family won’t be either. Growing up we didn’t have much, but I can always remember being happy to be with my family. We might not have had any decorations or even presents, but we had laughter, a place to call home and each other.