Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I was talking to my friend who is pregant with her first and my advice was once you have the baby you will need ME TIME and to me it makes me a better mom to have that time alone or alone with friends. I work and get the kids at 315 each day get home at 4 and then on the weekend I am home obviously. But, to me I need that half hour manicure, or a few hours at lunch with my friends. once a month or so Am I alone here? Do you think it was bad advice or something you just cant understand until you are a mom.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

You are definitely NOT alone. DH & I have had "date night" once a month or so, since the very beginning. And we each make it a point to get out for a little bit at least once a week.

I love DD, but I enjoy my time by myself immensely, and I don't have one shred of guilt about it. I totally agree with you - it makes us better parents, and allows us to "recharge our batteries," so to speak.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Absolutely. ALL mom's need to find their grounding again at some point, after all the chaos starts to settle a little. My time is at lunch everyday, when I listen to my music and take a long walk, or get together with my friends for lunch.

And I think it's also just as important to have time together with just DH as well - we make an effort to have a date night every week, just the two of us.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I am a working mother. I definitely need ME time. I don't see work as ME time. It isn't. I work a stressful job and while my child isn't here, I am not lounging around and relaxing all day. I need to be able to spend some time by myself unwinding or with friends or just my hubby. I love my son more than I could ever express but that doesn't mean I am not still ME and need to just decompress.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I totally agree... 100%. I was just talking to DH about this the other day. I am a full time working mom, but it's nonstop... I get ready for work then take Mason to daycare, pick him up, feed, play, bath and get him ready for bed. I have no time to myself.

DH and I love spending time together. At nights we have dinner together, but I need some quiet, alone time too. Every Sat morning I go take my kickboxing class and I also go a get mani/pedi when I can. DH gets home b4 me so he has time to have the house to himself. I told him to go out with his friends one night after Mason goes to sleep so I can have the house to myself... have wine, read a book, etc.

It's also important to have a girl's night too. I love my friends and miss them

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I find that while he is napping I try to do ME time, but I end up cleaning, making calls instead.

I guess being on here right now is ME time

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

No, I think it's the best advice. I feel that little time to myself for my mani & pedi, or lunch with the girls makes me a better mom. Cause when I take care of myself I can better care for my family if that makes any sense!!
I notice when I get too stressed and run down I get very irritable and lose patience easy so I try my hardest not to get to that point.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

absolutely ESPECIALLY as a working mom! working is certainly not "me time". it is work time.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Every single human being requires time to themselves to do something for themselves -

SAHMs, Working Moms, singles, a 15 year old kid - EVERYONE needs some time to themselves -

And just b/c you're away from the kids doesn't mean it's 'time to/for youself'
Grocery shopping doesn't count !!

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I agree, but I pretty much never get it.
I am with the babies all day, and work while they are napping during the day. Then I cook dinner at night and go back to work pretty much until I go to sleep, which can be as late as 1am, depending on how much work I have.

Sometimes on the weekend I'll get to run a few errands by myself while DH stays home with the kids. That's pretty much the extent of my "me" time.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Oh yes... even though DS is in daycare all week on the weekends I need a little me time. I'll spend all day with him but I'm happy to pass him off to DH so I can take a nice bath.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I so agree with all the posters on how "me" time is so important. As a mom of an almost 4 month old, my life currently revolves around her. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I do need to take some time for myself.

I just started working out each day. Once my DH gets home I let him take over for awhile and do my workout. I was intitally guilty about this but it is so crucial for several reasons. One, is that I will lose weight and feel better. Secondly, I will have more energy and stamina and be able to enjoy my daughter more. My mom was an awesome wife and working mom. She never took proper care of herself because she was so busy with her job and taking care of us. My mom smoked and was severely underweight; all due to stress. I wonder ALL the time how things would be if she just thought of herself one moment. She died way to young. Of course this is an extreme case but I think of this when I feel guilty; I strongly believe taking some me time, makes one a better mom and person overall.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Yes! I am on sabbatical right now and we still send DD to daycare. It was unexpected for me to get this time off and it would have cost us more to take her out with losing our deposit and one month's tuition than keeping her in. I get to lug the laundry to the laundromat, wash the dishes, start dinner, keep up with the chores and actually have some "me" time, which I am using right now! The days fly by so fast, before I know it, it's time to pick her up--and she loves it. I also suffered from PPD, so I know she is in a good, healthy environment. I remember about 2 weeks after DD was born I went out and got a 2 hour facial at a posh spa. It was 180 bucks, but sooooo worth it.

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

Working moms or SAHMs - I think everyone needs ME time!

Re: Do you need that ME time as a mom,even a working mom?

I need my me time for sure.

Working full time as an attorney, raising 2 boys and trying to remain attractive to my hubbie is a lot of work!!!!

I use my lunch hrs at work to go to the gym, shop or get a mani/pedi.

On the weekends I am with the kids, cleaning and cooking--so I need some breaks for sure