Mom Needs a Time Out

Mom Needs a Time Out

In this case, time out is a reward. How often do you take time for yourself to do what you want to do? I know you’re busy, but a mom needs a time out. It’s well deserved. You need some space to breathe and not think about that huge pile of laundry hiding in your garage, or that fact that you didn’t measure up as a mom sometime this week {so you think}.

Here are some simple, but rejuvenating ways to get your time out and away from your responsibilities.

If you can escape the fortress you call home:

• Schedule a manicure or pedicure or both.
• Go out with some girlfriends for some clean fun (dinner, shopping, whatever your heart desires).
• Visit a bookstore (if you’re a book lover like me).
• Grab a hot fudge sundae and enjoy every bite. (No, the kids will never know as long as you don’t spill any evidence on your blouse.)
• Better yet, join a gym and workout 2-3 times per week. It’s a great stress reliever.

If you can’t get away, then try these at home variations:

• Treat yourself to a pedicure when it arrives. You may have to lock yourself in the bathroom to do any of these, but it’ll be worth it.
• Order a new nail polish online.
• Order a new scarf or bracelet online. Shopping is great therapy, as long as it doesn’t add to your financial stress down the road.
• Relax with that book you bought months ago but haven’t started.
• Blog or read a few blogs. I love to do this when I don’t have enough time to read a full chapter (or more) of a book.
• Throw in an exercise tape and get to it. Yes, the toddler can hang on you while you exercise. That’s no excuse.
• Start a scrapbook of anything that interests you: your family, your wedding, your younger days, your dream house…
• Start a new hobby.
• Buy the movie Mom’s Night Out and laugh ’til you hurt! Did you see Mom’s Night Out? We watched it at church and I laughed so much! It felt great to see another mommy blogger whose thoughts weren’t saintly.

No Money? Here’s Your Solution

If you’d like to try more of the time outs that require cash, then start saving some cash each week. Pretend it’s a bill. Call it the time out expense. Adding $5.00 to it each week gives you $20-25.00 each month to do something for yourself. If you want a weekly time out, you’ll need to invest a little more each week. A better option would be to have a free time out each week except for one special outing each month to spend your saved cash on. That would make it even more enjoyable.

Now, go have some fun!

How do you unwind or take a time out? (Join in the discussion below or on Facebook.)

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