As important as it is to meet our childrens needs, it's so important to look after yourself too - particularly in those newborn days when your body and mind are recovering from the strenuous pregnancy and birth process.
1. Dedicate an hour to pampering yourself
It's easy to recommend a pamper evening with the girls or treating yourself to a spa day, we'd all love that wouldn't we?! But sadly it's not always affordable and it's not always feasible with small children around - childcare can be an issue and even pampering at home can often be interrupted when babies need feeding or children won't settle.
One of my favourite ways to unwind is to run myself a bubble bath and have a nice 20 minute soak with a face mask on, exfoliate and moisturise, give myself a mini mani & pedi & pluck my eyebrows - an hour later it's remarkable how lifted I feel! A little pampering and preening can go a long way to improving your state of mind.
2. Pamper Your Mind
It's not just our bodies that need looking after, stress can have a detrimental effect on our over-all wellbeing and there are so many things we can do from home to restore some calm and balance.
I've mentioned before that I like to use relaxation apps to relieve anxiety & stresses - calm.com is a favourite of mine, you can also download relaxing music CDs or guided meditations if thats more your thing - you might think it all sounds a bit daft but until you try it you won't know how big a help it might be - anything that helps us to feel calmer has to be worth a try right?!
3. Indulge yourself
Ok so you've got a million things on your to do list, you're trying to shift the baby weight - a treat night doesn't seem like such a great idea? But we all need a little down time every now and then, and the occasional pick me up isn't going to hurt.
Parenthood can be tough - some say it's the toughest "job" in the world - in any job you get the occasional reward for working hard right? A staff meal out, a little thank you gift at Christmas and so on - so why not give yourself that little hard-earned pat on the back once a week?
Whatever it is you enjoy doing - watching a movie with a glass of wine and a bar of chocolate the size of your baby? Go for it! Curling up with a book and a massive hot chocolate with extra cream? Why not!! Curling up with your iPad and playing Diep-io game? Go for it!
Whatever your favourite indulgent pastime is, just let go of any associated guilt and enjoy it one evening per week - the housework will still be there tomorrow, and you'll feel so much better for it!
Whatever your favourite indulgent pastime is, just let go of any associated guilt and enjoy it one evening per week - the housework will still be there tomorrow, and you'll feel so much better for it!
4. Make Use Of Help & Get Out Of The House
If you're lucky enough to have any willing babysitters around and can manage an hour or so away from the house every now and then - DO IT! But don't use the time for grocery shopping which can be done online when the kids are in bed or visiting old Aunt Ethel...do something just for you every once in a while. Go for a swim (Oh to go swimming without chasing a toddler around in a soggy swim nappy!), have a quiet coffee or lunch somewhere non-child friendly that you wouldn't usually be able to go, or nip to the beauty salon for a spray tan or wash & blow dry - do something to make yourself feel recharged and fighting fit!
5. Soft Play Is Your Friend!
If you're having a particularly frazzled day, there's nobody around to help and time to yourself just isn't an option - check out the local childrens amenities in your area where the kids will be entertained and out of your hair, and you can have a coffee and 2 minutes to yourself - ok you'll be keeping an eye on them and possibly getting dragged through multi-coloured tunnels of doom too - but that few quiet sips of coffee as you watch your child go crazy in a ball pond from afar is worth it!
COMPETITION
To give you a little helping hand in taking time for yourself as a Mum, the lovely people at Poki.com are offering one of my readers the chance to win an Amazon Tablet of your very own - one that you can keep hidden away from the kids - no sticky fingers on the screen or endless Topsy & Tim episodes to watch on it - this is all for you!
To be in with a chance of winning, just complete the Rafflecopter form below - Good Luck!
If you enjoy my blog, please consider following me on Bloglovin'
With some peace and quiet, a book and a hot chocolate or with a cocktail
ReplyDeleteOnce the kids are in bed I love to cuddle up to Mr Rose and watch an episode of whatever series we're into at the time (currently Bedlam) possibly with a glass of red.
ReplyDeleteOnce the kids are tucked up in bed I like to cuddle up to Mr Rose and relax watching an episode of whatever series we're into at the time (currently Bedlam) possibly with a glass of wine.
ReplyDeletei like to watch a good film on tv with a nice glass of something
ReplyDeleteIn bed with a really good book under a cosy quilt.
ReplyDeleteWalking along the seafront
ReplyDeleteRead a good book in bed
ReplyDeleteReading a good book in a hot bath with a glass of wine
ReplyDeleteGoing for a nice walk and listening to music.
ReplyDeletehorse riding is my passion
ReplyDeleteI love crocheting or snuggling up with a box of chocolates and a new book
ReplyDeleteIn the bath with a good book and a cup of coffee ☺️
ReplyDeleteReading a good book. x
ReplyDeletechillin with a film
ReplyDeleteCurcled up in my easy chair reading a book
ReplyDeleteI love a soak in the bath with some relaxing music
ReplyDeleterelaxing in the bath or watching a movie
ReplyDeleteI love reading my book before I sleep, it's my precious me time
ReplyDeleteGoing for a run followed by a hot bubble bath and cuppa
ReplyDeletenice hot bath , cup of tea and a good film x
ReplyDeletewatching TV with a glass or red wine
ReplyDeletelistening to music
ReplyDeleteI love to read a good book x Kali Filsell
ReplyDeleteAfter the school run I try and grab half an hour. Not enough me time but I wouldn't have it any other way
ReplyDeleteHot bath and bottle of wine.
ReplyDeleteLosing myself in a good book
ReplyDeleteWatching a good film with a chinese
ReplyDeleteDepends what mood im in, sometimes a good book, colouring in my adult book, listening to music or watching a film or tv programme aslong as i get some peace and quiet on my own im happy lol x
ReplyDeleteWatching a programme on TV whilst putting my feet up, sipping a glass of wine and eating something unhealthy!
ReplyDeletebubbly bath,fresh jamas and feet up in front of the telly
ReplyDeleteReading a good book
ReplyDeleteNetflix on, Pyjamas on, Ben & Jerrys Phish Food and a spoon!
ReplyDeletePlaying my guitar along to you-tube
ReplyDeletehaving a relaxing bubble bath
ReplyDeletea bath,candles,wine
ReplyDelete'Me time' means a chance to escape with a good book.
ReplyDeletehaving a relaxing bath
ReplyDeleteRelaxing with a glass of wine and a good book in a comfortable chair
ReplyDeletein the bath with the door locked anbd a good book!
ReplyDeleteI like to go to a nice coffee shop with a good book
ReplyDeleteWith a good book snuggled under a blanket with a nice hot cup of tea :) pure bliss
ReplyDeleteA good coffee and a good book.
ReplyDeleteRelaxing with a film or great show and hot tea
ReplyDeleteRelaxing with a great film or tv show and hot tea
ReplyDeleteI love curling up with a good book and some chocolate during my me time.
ReplyDeleteReading a book :)
ReplyDeletelazing with a good book
ReplyDeleteWith my family watching a movie with chocolate
ReplyDeleteIn a warm bath with a glass of wine x
ReplyDeleteCatching up with my favourite show the peaky blinders
ReplyDeletewine, bath & book!
ReplyDeleteI like to do a spot of cross stitching.
ReplyDeleterelaxing in the bath
ReplyDeleteIf I have time, I'll read a book. It completely relaxes me.
ReplyDeleteA nice soak in the bath with a good book
ReplyDeleteWatching a film or going for a walk.
ReplyDeletea funny movie and a pamper session
ReplyDeletea nice bath, catch up tv :) x
ReplyDeleteReading a good book
ReplyDeletereading a good book!
ReplyDeleteGoing for a run or cuddling up with a great book. Thanks
ReplyDeletein the garden with the chickens
ReplyDeleteI love having a nice bubble bath and using nice body butter, getting on my PJ's, having some wine and chocolate and catching up with some telly
ReplyDeleteA long walk or curling up with a good book
ReplyDeletedoing the gardening at my allotment
ReplyDeletecurled up with a book
ReplyDeletecurled up with a book
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of my own company but I do like to enjoy a relaxing bath and nap when I get a rare chance
ReplyDeleteI love chilling in my bedroom reading and listening to the radio.
ReplyDeleteReading fanfaction on my kindle
ReplyDeleteDoing cross-stitch.
ReplyDeleteReading and eating a whole bar of chocolate to myself!
ReplyDeleteLong bath and bed with a good book.
ReplyDelete