We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” How about, “Put your oxygen mask on first?” You know, when a plane crashes and you’re supposed to make sure you’re safe before helping others. It’s like that with life. Especially as a parent. Ever heard of ‘me time’?
Now I’m not saying that as a parent you shouldn’t worry about your child’s needs. Or that your needs need to come first. What I’m saying is that parenthood is already a wonderful, chaotic mess. There’s no reason to make it harder by running on fumes, so to speak.
I want to give you some ideas. I know each parent’s circumstances/situation/whatever you want to call it, is different. So I want to help you to get some much-needed and well-deserved ‘me time’. No matter what your parenthood journey looks like! And feel free to click the photo and watch the video for a short, simple, and to-the-point version.
Related: ‘Me Time’ & 3 Reasons Everyone Needs A Little
Two Parents, Not Expecting, Has One Or Multiple Littles – Idea #1
Whether you’re on your first or second or even eighth or ninth Little One, you’re already feeling the wonderful chaos that is parenthood. So it’s important to reset, recharge, and recalibrate yourself with a little ‘me time’! Have your significant other take over all the responsibility for a day/night/few hours, whatever it is you can take. Get a hotel room or go to a friend’s house or do whatever you want! Rest, catch up on a show or other hobby, do what will make you feel more ready to tackle the responsibility your significant other is waiting to share with you again. *Make sure to take turns so each parent has a chance for some ‘me time’!
Two Parents, Not Expecting, Has One Or Multiple Littles – Idea #2
Like I said, parenthood is wonderful chaos. If it’s too chaotic to try idea #1 though, try an old fashioned idea! Both you and your partner create DIY coupons. 1 back rub, 1 breakfast in bed, 1 hour uninterrupted silence, you name it! (Both literally and figuratively.) Hold on to them to cash in when needed. Try to keep it to a maximum of 5. ‘Me time’ is important but we shouldn’t do it at the expense of our partners ‘me time’. Talk it through with your partner too so that when either of you need to cash one in, there will be no questions asked and both partners work together to make it happen! *Again, make sure to take turns so each parent has their chance for some ‘me time’.
Two Parents, Expecting First Little
In the case that you’re expecting your first Little, first of all, congratulations! You may not quite know the wonderful chaos that is parenthood yet. But you’re sure to be feeling the overwhelm from having a Little One on the way! For some much-needed ‘me time’, make a list of 5 acts of service for your partner to perform while you get some rest, catch up on a hobby, or whatever it is that will help you reset and recharge. Make the acts of service things that would help you feel even better not having to worry tackling after your ‘me time’. This way, you’ll be able to further enjoy your ‘me time’ and feel more ready to tackle what’s left when it’s over! *Once your Little is here, you’re in a different category of circumstances/situation/whatever you want to call it. Time to look to the first section in the article for some ‘me time’ ideas!
Two Parents, Expecting Another Little
In the case that you have another Little, you’re most likely feeling the wonderful chaos that is parenthood as well as the overwhelm from having an additional Little One on the way. To get some ‘me time’, try using an idea I’ve already suggested in this article! Have your partner take over all the responsibility for a day/night/few hours, whatever it is you can take. Get a hotel room or go to a friend’s house or do whatever you want! Rest, catch up on a show or other hobby, do what will make you feel more ready to tackle the responsibility your significant other is waiting to share with you again. *Once your Little is here, you’re in a different category of circumstances/situation/whatever you want to call it. Time to look to the first section in the article for some ‘me time’ ideas!
One Parent, Expecting First Little
Sometimes circumstances put some in the position of expecting their first Little while being a single parent. Whether chosen or not, it may not be as easy to get that ‘me time’ as other circumstances. But that’s okay, it’s still important to get! Make a list of 5 acts of service that would be the most helpful or beneficial to you if they were to get done. Then give that list to a family member, friend, or other trusted loved one. Let them tackle it while you rest, catch up on a hobby, or whatever it is you want to do! And I know that not everyone is in the position where they have a family member, friend, or other loved one who can help with this. So it might require paying for a service in order to get the same outcome, but please consider doing so!
One Parent, Expecting Another Little
Someone who is used to the wonderful chaos that is parenthood and who is expecting another Little One on the way, is arguably the person who could use some ‘me time’ the most. As with the last section, whether this circumstance is chosen or otherwise, it’s still important to get. Have a family member, friend, or other trusted loved one take over all the responsibility. For a day, night, few hours, whatever it is that you can get yourself! Get a hotel room, go to another friend’s, or whatever you can think of! Rest, catch up on a show or other hobby, do what will make you feel more ready to tackle the responsibility waiting for you to handle again. Again, I know that not everyone is in the position where they have a family member, friend, or other loved one who can help with this. So it might require paying for a service in order to get the same outcome, but please consider doing so!
Related: Finding Comfort & Composure In Parenthood: 3 Things To Remember
Try For Yourself!
So, if you’re feeling the overwhelm, the burnout, or the slipping of your sanity, give one of these ideas a try! You can’t knock ’em ’til you try ’em. Unless, of course, I didn’t name or list your particular circumstance. If so, please comment letting me know what your situation is so that I can help come up with a way for you to get some ‘me time’! Everyone needs and deserves it. And if you do try one of these, comment letting me know how it went!
As always, thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community! I encourage you to join discussions, interact with Mommas and others alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:
With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth To Momma
