Me that’s who! I admit that when I first began my journey as a mom I thought this whole idea of moms needing time away from their kids was selfish. Now after nearly nine years as a mom I can see the folly in my thinking. I guess maybe I thought these “me time” moms were out partying, clubbing, or going on extended vacations. But “me time” can be soooo much more. It can be an hour at the cafe down the street so you can read a book, perhaps a few hours to shop, time to see a movie or go to dinner with a friend. Moms need this time so they can reflect, catch their breath, and re-energize so they can continue to be a good mom.
This year I took up a new hobby that gives me some me time and helps me alleviate stress with creativity…. photography. Capturing moments with a camera is so therapeutic… and so is spending hours playing with Photoshop actions, overlays, textures. etc. I have a basic camera and very basic equipment but think I am not half bad at this…
I am also a movie buff.. always have been. I worked through college at a movie theatre so movies will always have a special place in my heart. I treated myself to a movie twice this week. Well, I saw G.I. Joe with oldest boy too but that doesn’t count. I saw two movies that I highly recommend… The Time Travelers Wife and Julie & Julia.
Julie & Julia was the standout. It is about the life of Julie Powell… a food blogger and Julia Child. I knew next to nothing about Julia Child before this movie and all I can say is WOW. She was one heckuva woman! And Stanley Tucci as her husband was fabulous. I will always have a soft spot for him now… “Julia you are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life…” When I think of timeless love stories I never would have thought of Julia and Paul Child but I should have! Now I cannot wait to go see her actual kitchen that is at the Smithsonian… I am supposed to be going in October. And fair warning.. this movie will make you HUNGRY and will make you want to go buy her cookbook and cook up a storm. You can also buy the book written by Julie Powell that this movie is based on.
Another recent me time activity is sitting outside alone while I read Handmade Home… I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is simply delicious.
So what say you? Me time.. is it important or just an excuse? What do you do for “me time”?
Me time for moms is IMPERATIVE for the sanity and safety and satisfaction of the whole family!!! If we don’t fill our proverbial cups, then when we pour out so much for others, we are left drained and empty. Fill your cups mamas!!! It’s my battle cry. And it took me a long time to learn that.
Here in Austin at Slow Family Living we hold monthly five hour “Mamas Fill Ups”. 5 hours of introspection and intention setting, discussion, rest, delicious food and even a little pie and crafting too!
Computer time is ususally ME time. :) It’s like putting on your air mask before you can help those dependent on you. Also, prayer and yoga help me maintain my sanity and serenity. And a hot bath after the LO is in bed is the perfect cure to a bad day.
So obviously, I think mommy time is really important and it doesn’t always mean going out of the house to get it.
LOL “Me Time” I know I don’t get enough of that, but I do tend to step outside once in awhile and just sit and reflect on my day. I guess that is my “me time”. Other times I take “me time” while I am not alone, for instance when I am cleaning, I have been known to turn the radio up quite loud and just go through and sing myself to a clean house. (I do keep an eye on the kids so they don’t hurt themselves)
This is a great post because we do all need some time for ourselves, I just have to work at it.
To me, “me time” has to be out of the house. My husbad works away for 14 days at a time and all our family lives really far away. So when he comes home, I would use my me time to go grocery shopping without the kids. I guess it counts? Other than that, I’ve been known to only “go out” twice a year. Once for a hair cut, and another for Christmas shopping. It’s patetic, I know. I almost burned myself out doing that. Now I’ve learned my lesson. I stopped feeling bad for asking help from friends to watch the kids, or hubby to stay home so I can recharge my batteries. I’m just too important to do that to myself!
Excellent post! “Mommy’s time” is so important and I agree that most moms don’t get enough of it. My “me” time is working out at the gym and a once a month massage or pedicure. I want to carve out more time for pleasure reading, but I try to read right before bed and only get in a few pages before I pass out from exhaustion! I also want to visit with my friends more-like even once a month with just us. Good luck ladies!
When I get my “me time,” everyone else will get more “quality” time with me.
I need at least 1 hour to myself to just think, exercise, surf the web, read a book….etc.
You’re such a great mom. :)
I didn’t see Time Traveler’s Wife (we’ll catch it on DVD) but I did see Julie and Julia. Great movie. :) Oh, and we saw GI Joe (loved it), District 9 (loved that, too), and Inglorious Bastards (really loved that… Brad Pitt was awesome). Ummm… can you tell we don’t have kids yet? LOL
Hugs,
Kristen
Thanks for the encouragement. My BFF, a fellow homeschooling mom, and I had our girls night our scheduled. It only happens a couple of times a yr.sadly. But I can remember each one like it was yesterday. Very valuable time!! We decided to take you up on your suggestion and saw Julie and Julia. We both enjoyed it.
I must admit I feel guilty having my older daughter or my husband babysit while I go out. I think thats a big hangup for us moms “guilt”. But you’re right, we need that time. Plus, seeing a “love story” as it was, made me appreciate my role and husband a little bit more.
Mom Time is crucial to our mental health and vitality. We shouldn’t feel guilty about taking time out for ourselves but I think most of us don’t take it when we need it and when we finally do, we feel guilty. It’s also important for our children to see that we have our own identity besides being their “mother”. It’s also important for Mom and Dad to schedule date nights too. We have to make time for each other and remember that it was just two of us before we had children. Sometimes Dad’s get lost in the whole mix. We Mom’s focus so much energy and time on the kids that Dad starts to feel left out and we lose touch with each other over time. We have to keep our relationship strong and our children will benefit. The good thing is…we don’t have to spend all that much time on ourselves. Even just 30 minutes to an hour a day is plenty. Put the kids to bed, run a warm bath, light a few candles, soak your feet in a wash bin, read a few articles in your favorite magazine or a few chapters in a book before bed, snuggle with your husband on the couch and just talk about your day or give yourself a homemade facial. There are lots of easy ways to unwind and give yourself a physical/mental boost, we just have to make time for them and view them as a priority for ourselves since we so willingly give to others day in and day out. We deserve at least 30 minutes to ourselves. :)