Working Moms – Enlist Help or Support for Me Time

One of my most enjoyable Mother’s Days happened over ten years ago. My husband decided to take our daughters to visit his parents for the day. I thought about all of the things I would do to take care of myself. My Mother’s Day was going to be a day of pampering and lounging.

I would start with a long, relaxing soak in our tub. I was going to turn on the jets and let the water massage my achy muscles. I would make myself a spinach omelet and leave all the dishes for someone else to wash. I would prepare my own breakfast. That would get my husband and girls out of the house faster.

I had visions of sipping green tea and reading my book. I would nap on and off during the day. If I felt like it, I would paint my nails. The day was mine and mine alone. They would not call me or ask me for anything. I would have a day to myself to be me, not mommy, not wife, just me.

Before their dad loaded the girls in the van, a funny thing happened. Our oldest daughter said “I don’t feel good.” She was five or six at the time. She said that her head hurt and she felt like she was going to “throw up.” We took her temperature and she had a slight fever, so we told her she could stay home “with mommy.”

I was still determined to have a relaxed day. I told her to hop in Daddy and my bed. I put a basin near the side of the bed, just in case she needed to vomit. She was happy and I felt like my “me” day was still intact.

Then another funny thing happened. Our younger daughter decided that she wanted to stay home with mommy, too. She did not verbally say it, her face said it loud and clear. She refused to smile, her lower lip poked out and she would not talk to either of us. When her dad said “let’s go,” she walked slowly to the van, sat in her usual seat in the second row and started crying. The tears flowed although she never made a sound.

I walked over to her and asked if she wanted to stay home, too. At first she did not answer. Her dad and I assured her that it was okay. She nodded her head yes. I unbuckled her seatbelt and told her to go on into the house. My husband looked at me and said “I tried.” By the time I walked into the house, she had changed into her pajamas and was also in our bed.

I spent my “me” day lounging with our daughters watching Barbie Fairytopia and other Barbie videos. I drank green tea and they drank apple juice. We did not have to use the vomit basin for our oldest and she began to feel better after an hour or two. They were happy and we created a fond memory.

Working moms really need to enlist help or support when juggling the responsibilities of work and family. Regularly schedule “me” time for yourself. Use this time to do things that you enjoy. Here are three suggestions to try.

• Take 30 minutes to have a tea or coffee before picking your children up from daycare or afterschool.
• Plan for your spouse to take them on an outing to give you a day to yourself.
• Partner with other parents and take turns keeping the children for an hour or two.
• When you drop them off for dance, karate or other activity, leave them and spend that time on youself.
• Encourage your family to develop a bedtime routines that support your ability to go to sleep in 30 minutes or less and wake up well rested.

Here are a few resources to help you to get started.

Happy People Sleep Well 7 Day Challenge This free challenge shares super easy techniques to help you to fall asleep in 30 minutes or less. You will receive one audio a day directly to your inbox.

Anna and the Camping Trip – Complete Series with Bonuses is a collection of bedtime stories designed to help you to fall asleep in 30 minutes or less. Each story shares Anna’s “adventures” as she relaxes in the mountains on a camping trip with her husband and her dog. These stories use mindfulness and relaxation techniques to calm your mind and relax your body.

Download your free copy of Stress is Personal: Your Personal Starter Guide to Stress Relief. This 36 page guide contains easy to use tips to lower your stress level. Read real life scenarios to learn how people similar to you got through it. The print version is also available through MagCloud Publishing.

Happy Half Hour Club is a community for hardworking adults who want to be happy. Subscribe to receive stress relieving tips that can be accomplished in 30 minutes of less. Like the Happy in 30 Guided Relaxation Facebook page and connect with us on Instagram @Happyin30 and Twitter @Happyin30.