As a busy working mom, it can feel like you never have a single second to yourself. Between work, home, and parenting, how do you set aside time for yourself?
Before delving into some solutions, it is necessary to say that wanting some time to breathe is not selfish; it is being a good parent. You cannot give your child the best of you if you are exhausted and overwhelmed.
Now that you know you deserve some free time, you can go about setting up your schedule for breathing room. There are at least five tactics you can use to create space for yourself.
1. Set Attainable Daily Goals
For some reason, new moms feel like they need to live up to superhuman expectations. You are not a superhero in the mythic sense, which means no one expects you to achieve the unattainable in a single day.
Too many new moms make the mistake of establishing extensive To-Do lists. While a To-Do list is an excellent tool, it is useless if it asks too much of you.
When making out your list for the day or week, make sure you are only writing down practical goals, things you can actually accomplish in the time you have. Setting attainable goals will ensure that your days are not overloaded.
2. Prioritize Your Sleep
Sleep. What's that?
While it is easy to fall into the routine of less sleep, you will never act optimally with less sleep. It is critical to your health and performance as a parent to get the sleep you need.
You must prioritize your sleep over everything else. Sleep ensures that you can function the following day, and that your child experiences only the best of you.
Sleep is not only crucial for you; it is essential to your child's development as well. Set up sleep schedules for you and them, so you can both be the best versions of yourselves.
3. Be OK With Saying "No"
One of the most challenging aspects of being a parent, or an adult for that matter, is learning the power of "no." Too many new parents feel like saying no to attending field trips, or PTA meetings means they are missing some parenting milestone or shirking on their duties, but that is not true.
The word "no" is a way for you to control your time. Additionally, saying "no" and setting limits teach your child valuable time-management and boundary-setting skills.
4. Avoid Multitasking
Multitasking is a myth. When you attempt to focus on multiple tasks at once, no task receives your full attention, which means you are giving a lackluster performance on various fronts.
Focusing on one thing at a time is essential to maintaining your sanity. It also demonstrates your commitment to the task at hand, which can bolster relationships. For instance, focusing 100% on helping your son with algebra lets him see your commitment as believing in his abilities.
5. Leave Room for Some Fun
The best way to plan time for yourself or fun is to plan it. Put fun in the schedule. It might seem like an odd thing to do, but setting aside time to go to the park or take the family to dinner is a surefire way of making it happen. You can even schedule self-care time into your day.
Scheduling or making a To-Do list is the best way to take control of your time and ensure your mental and physical health. It also teaches your child valuable self-care skills. While things might get easier as your child grows and learns to fend for themselves a little more, you have a responsibility for the health and wellbeing of your toddler. Wellements can help with its line of organic supplements, allowing you to worry less about nutritional needs and more about emotional support.