Balancing ‘me time’ with family time

  Being a parent is tough, no doubt about it, and sometimes we all need a little bit of time away from it all. But how do you balance family fun time, and your own ‘chill out’ time? You have to let something slide. It’s OK! The floor can be mopped tomorrow. If you have a partner, when they get home from work hand over care of the children to them and make time for yourself to do something you enjoy:

• Run a hot, deep bubble bath
• Read a book
• Watch a non-Disney film!
• Go for a walk
• Meet friends for a drink or something to eat
• Sleep!

  Do whatever it is that you enjoy, and that helps you relax, and DO NOT feel guilty about it. Relaxed, happy mums and dads make better parents. If you have children at school or nursery, take a few minutes out of each day to put your feet up with a cup of tea and a magazine. If you are a working parent, make the most of your child free lunch breaks, and meet a friend for a chat, or treat yourself to a bit of shopping. In the evenings, when the children are asleep, make time for yourself and your partner. Leave the dishes for one night, and sit down and watch a film together. Once a month, or whenever you can manage, try and make time for a ‘date night’ – get a babysitter and go out for dinner, or go to the cinema. It’s your chance to reconnect. If you give yourself a break every now and then, you are much more likely to feel able to cope, and you will enjoy the time you spend with your children all the more for it. So, get the board games out, get your wellies on and splash in puddles, pack up a picnic and head to the park, or snuggle down under the duvet to share a story. Family times are the best times, but don’t beat yourself up if you sometimes need some space to be ‘you’ rather than just mummy or daddy.   This post has been written by Kate a Mum of 3 and a blogger at Family Fever. As a Mum of two I really feel the need for that all important ‘me’ time!