How do you make time for yourself?

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Permalink Reply by Suzy Stauffer on July 27, 2009 at 11:24pm

I make time to workout Before the kids wake up. I also have made time as the kids have gotten older I carve out time when they are in school. I also think it is important to show the kids we are people outside of just being a mom. So, they see me taking time on weekends to meet up with friends, work some times or do an activity I enjoy. My hope is they always value who they are and take good care of themselves too.

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Permalink Reply by Mirdza Hayden on July 30, 2009 at 10:46am

I too work out before the kids wake up. My kids know my routine and love that I exercise. We should not feel guilty for taking time to work out... It's what keeps us healthy, strong and fit so we can take care of our family a whole lot better.

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Permalink Reply by Trish Van Gorden on August 7, 2009 at 11:09pm

The best way I make time for myself is to announce it. I'll say something like "I am working out tomorrow at 10 am for about an hour, so I will be unavailable during that time except for emergencies involving blood or fire." Then I'll ask my family for support by saying something like "You know this is important to me, so I really need your support". Other announcements go similarly..."I'm going out to dinner with my friend tonight, I really need this as I have not been out with a friend in a month." Basically I always state the intention and then ask for support. I encourage my family to do the same...make their needs known and ask for support. I often remind my kids to support each others needs too, ex. "your sister is trying to read, please support her by being quiet". When my family understands and respects each others needs and support, taking time for myself is not difficult as they know what it is like to be supported and they in turn should support me. I'm not saying it always goes smoothly, but making your needs known and asking for support is usually a good formula for my family. Making yourself a priority will be easier when you state your intentions and needs, and don't be shy about asking for support.

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Permalink Reply by Sherri Gershon on August 8, 2009 at 3:04am

I added myself to the schedule. A while back I realized that my appointment book looked like my kids were the only one's that mattered. I couldn't find one event in there for myself. So once I realized that I had forgotten all about me...I started to make sure that I put myself back in the family schedule. Now my appointment book has more things for me then my kids and it has been great. My hair get's done every 6 weeks instead of 6 months, Manny and pedi are booked and secured, bi-weekly meeting with girlfriends secured, workout time secured in writing and I am now apart of the family schedule not just the keeper and driver of the schedule. My children are way more self-reliant and are experiencing the importance of self-care. self-love and that it is normal for mom to have some things just for mom. It is okay to ask for what you need and allow yourself to have IT- guilt free. A very important lesson. IT ALL COUNTS - SO COUNT YOURSELF IN!!!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Whitley on August 11, 2009 at 2:17pm

I have very young children, 3 and 4 that are home with me during the day. Part of our schedule is going to the gym every day. They do sometimes complain and I remind them that mommy does for them all day and I need this time to workout so that I can be a happy mommy. My husband is also supportive of me making time to be with my friends and do things for myself. He witnesses how my days go and is more than willing to let me have some ME time to recoup from being a full-time mommy!

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Permalink Reply by Laura Kelly-Pifer on September 9, 2009 at 1:28pm

It can be really hard to make time for yourself but I do it just as if I were scheduling an appointment. I also plan time for me and my spouse. I feel that you need to do both in order to function better.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Young on October 14, 2009 at 8:06pm

I love the idea of treating it like an appointment. Maybe I will plug 'Me Time' in my iPod and set a reminder to boot. I invite you all to do the same!

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Permalink Reply by Rosemarie C. Miller on October 15, 2009 at 10:51am

I need to get out my pencil and get to work on my calendar!! Too many times I haven't made it to my yoga studio, haven't kept up with my hair appointments and have missed out on time with my girlfriends!! Not any more!!! MY Outlook calendar is full of 'green' and 'blue' appointments, the colors I use for my kids' activities. I need to assign myself and color and get represented!! Maybe PINK!

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Permalink Reply by Suzy Stauffer on October 28, 2009 at 1:12pm

Rosemarie==

I like that idea--- I am still a pencil and pen person----But, I like the color coded system a lot!!

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Permalink Reply by Susan Creal on October 28, 2009 at 8:18pm

I always remind myself that in order to be the best mother, entrepreneur and wife I can be, I MUST take time to recharge, re-center, and just 'be'. If mommy's not happy, NOBODY is happy :-)

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Permalink Reply by Peggy Nolan on April 9, 2010 at 10:17am

I learned a long time ago that we make time for what we value. I realized that I wasn't making time for myself...so to follow the logic through, I wasn't valuing myself enough to make time for me. Not anymore. Once I decided to value me, making time for me fell into place!

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