When Mommy Needs a Timeout

Our contributor team went out to watch the movie Bad Moms last week. If you saw the movie, and are like me, you heavily related to one mom in the movie (or two or all of them.)

There were several scenes where I literally cried because I was laughing so hard, and then cried because it was so relate-able to my season of life. There was one scene in particular where Mila Kunis is alone in her car. She grips the steering wheel and curses out loud. Has anyone else done that besides me? I think I have done that several times in a week (in the car, outside, in the bathroom, etc.)

You see, I have four children under the age of five and my days are long, loud and chaotic. No matter how organized I am or how ‘entertained’ I keep my kids, my days are so unpredictable because their attitudes change constantly and I never know if it’s going to be a good day or a bad day.

There was another scene in the movie where the moms were talking about their ‘mom fantasies.’ I think we ALL can relate to that one. We fantasize of eating alone and in peace without arms and hands reaching in to grab our food. We fantasize about sitting alone and drinking a hot cup of coffee, or even having a day of pampering without worry of our children or home.

But it doesn’t have to be a fantasy. It’s perfectly okay to take time out for yourself, to take care of yourself, because you need to care for the other people in your home. Whether you are a single mom, married mom or widowed mom, you need to take time to just chill and regather your thoughts and attitude. Take a breather and just do something for yourself that you love.

Here are some tips to take advantage of a mommy time out.

— Hire a sitter. I don’t consider this an ‘expense’ but a necessity! When you find quality childcare, pay well and let them know your expectations. See what their schedule is like and arrange dates ahead of time to do something for yourself. I hire a sitter once a week and it’s very refreshing to go get some time to myself. If you don’t have the finances to pay a sitter, ask another mommy friend to help you out. Heck, switch off weeks where one day you will watch her kids for a couple of hours and the next time she watches your kids. This benefits both of you!!

— Do something for yourself. If you are like me, I see ‘my time’ as a chance to run errands and to get things done. DON’T DO THIS! Actually take the time to invest in yourself and to do something you LOVE TO DO! Be adventurous and try something new! Try a new coffee shop or go to the beach by yourself and read a book. Take care of yourself because when you do, everything else will fall into place.

— Don’t be a loner. If what you are needing is fellowship with other people, then call some friends up and ask them to go out with you. Being a mom can be lonely, but remember you have other mom friends who are probably feeling the same way you are, so invite them out and have some fun!!

— Don’t forget your spouse. Do not neglect your husband and his need to be with you. Have a date night! Get dressed up and go out with him. Remember, you guys were a family before kids came into the picture and you will be a family after they leave the nest! Cherish that relationship with your spouse and nurture it. Both of you will appreciate and benefit from it.

How do you take a timeout for yourself?