5 Best “Me-Time” Indulgences for Moms

Since I’ve become a work-from-home mom, I rarely get time to myself. Even the weekends are full of running errands as a family so we can all get some time out of the house, cleaning, and getting house-work complete. Most days are filled with work and trying to summon half the energy that Baby Woz has to sing one more version of The Ants Go Marching, Old MacDonald, and Apples & Bananas. When times like that come around the only answer seems to be a one-way ticket to ANYWHERE!

The problem I’ve faced since becoming a parent was feeling obligated to not going anywhere and do anything for myself that would keep me sane. Now that Baby Woz is 2 years old, I don’t feel as obligated. But when Baby Woz was a baby, I always felt guilty about wanting to be somewhere else. I was slowly going insane. And I wouldn’t tell anyone about the way I felt until I was about ready to explode and just leave the house and get away as quickly as I could.

And little did I realize how mentally harmful it was to feel obligated all the time and not go and do something for myself. Little-by-little, I was building resentment against Jared since he had various meetings - for work and church - to attend that would sometimes last until 8 pm or 9 pm. I was going to explode if I wouldn’t say anything. But what sucked was that Jared understood what I was going through, but his meetings that he had wouldn’t change. So, something had to happen for me to stay sane.

These are five “indulgences” I committed to doing so I could stay sane during those newborn months. The little indulgences would seem super small and modest to anyone who doesn’t have kids. But for parents, this stuff is golden. Even a tiny escape can go a long way toward helping get through the day.

So, next time you feel stressed, try one of these:

Body Work

At least once a month I would get a pedicure and my nails done. I wanted to get a massage since those help me relax, but we just didn’t have the money for me to spend over $100 for a massage at the time. However, manicures and pedicures helped me put a lot. Nothing felt better than getting my feet and legs massaged. And I looked and felt better after getting my nails done.

A Soak in the Tub

A long bubble bath with bath salt, candles, book, music, or show is fantastic. This was a great and relaxing escape. There’s something about the warmth of the water with soft lights and sounds that is very soothing and pleasurable. Even 30 minutes in the tub can be a huge stress reliever for me.

And a bonus to warm bath soaks was that it didn’t cost me a dime. And it was a realistic way to relieve stress. Meaning, I didn’t have to go somewhere if I needed to relieve stress. It was something I could do when Baby Woz was napping.

Alone Time

This is was simple yet difficult for me to accept with Baby Woz was a newborn. Just being able to get out by myself and going on a little outing, a walk, or going to get a manicure and pedicure. Just being alone allowed me to gain some of my sanity back.

Night on the Town

This was very difficult at first. Not necessarily because I felt obligated, but because we had no one nearby to help out with Baby Woz. Yes, we had friends, but they were so much busier than I was and most of them didn’t feel comfortable enough with a newborn. And we have no family nearby either. This was still a great thing to do, but it just didn’t happen as often as I wish because there wasn’t anyone nearby to help out with Baby Woz.

Now that Baby Woz is 2, we can get out a lot more often. We still have no family nearby, but our friends are a lot more comfortable playing with a 2-year-old than a newborn.

Healthy Indulgence

My healthy indulgence was taking workout classes and going for walks. Even if my walk was with Baby Woz, it still helped a ton to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Plus, if Baby Woz was fussy, the stroller ride always lifted his spirits because he enjoyed seeing the cars go by.

And workout classes were a great way to work off that stress and frustration that would build up throughout the day.

These are just a few indulgences I did during that newborn stage that was crucial for my sanity. Whichever indulgence you choose, just enjoy it!