How are you carving out “me” time
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Anonymous
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I go for a 20 to 30 minute run first thing in the morning (7am ish). If the children are occupied in the house, they can stay home with DH. But, if they want to ride in the stroller or ride bike next to me, they are permitted to do so. So on some days it's not alone time, but it still works as me time.
I also found that segmenting the work day in to longer sections (which it seems like you are already doing) really helped, instead of trying to bounce back and forth between kids and work every hour, which is what I was trying to do to have the illusion of being on all day. That way you get get actual work done, and maybe have 15 minutes to check your personal email at the same time. |
Anonymous
| I let the house GO. It is hideous, but after the kids go to bed, we don’t clean much except the kitchen and occasional bathroom. |
Anonymous
| I have time to myself but only because I have a teenager. I’m a single parent and I thank my lucky stars that this didn’t happen 10 years ago. After dinner, I watch Netflix until I go to bed (between 10-11pm). My DS plays video games with his friends until he goes to bed around 10pm. |
Anonymous
| I stay up too late watching garbage TV and scrolling Instagram. |
Anonymous
| On the john..and hope I can stretch that out to 10 minutes. |
Anonymous
| My peloton! I have yet to feel psyched to get on but once the endorphins kick in, I’m a whole new woman. Also, be religious about wash your face, outfit, brush your hair, swipe of makeup every morning! |
Anonymous
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I just sent my kids out to spray each other with the pressure washer and bring me back 3 interesting nature items as their afternoon distance learning science project. They can’t come back in for an hour.
I doubt DCUM is interested in my Lord of the Flies parenting techniques, though. |
Anonymous
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Build nap time in the schedule. Even for older kids. My mom used to tell us to rest all the time and now I understand it’s because she needed to rest.
Use your vacation or sick time. Somehow people think that just because we are home, we should be working. It’s ok to take a couple hours off a week for your mental health. Even if it’s 2 hour off per week, you’ll only use up 1 day of vacation the entire month. Totally worth it to feel like you are giving yourself a break. Treat yourself in small ways. Going grocery shopping? Swing by and pick up some coffee on your way back. Ordering takeout? Order an extra treat. Skip the shower and take a bath instead. Engage with your chores so they become activities you look forward to do rather than something you need to get done to do something else. I’ve come to love the monotony of folding laundry and washing dishes, it’s time I can turn my mind off and take a mental break. Exercise with your children. Take them on a bike ride or run. Count your blessing each day. What are you thankful for? Not the easiest time for anyone but I find that if I focus on enjoying each day rather than thinking about how many more days of this I can endure, those are the days I am happiest. |
Anonymous
Ha! I have some raised planters in the backyard, and I have been letting the kids flood them with the hose and play with their trucks in the mud. I have given up on planting anything in them this year, but the boys occasionally find random onions or potatoes that we didn’t dig out last fall. |
Anonymous
I always put my kid to bed by 8pm when he was little so that I had some me time. Now he is a teenager and would rather play video games with his friends. Hang in there! |
Anonymous
| My daughter has a 5:00 webex call with her friends every day. I usually sit on the deck and read while listening to concerts online. |
Anonymous
| Long walks. My husband is working from home so every afternoon I go out for 1.5-2 hours, walk 5-6 miles alone and listen to podcasts |
Anonymous
I love this. Great advice. We also do a 1.5 hour quiet time every day. The other thing I would suggest is when work is slower take the break and don’t feel guilty about it. |
Anonymous
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That sounds hard OP. Can you at least go on a run or long walk with the 2.5 year old while listening to something you enjoy Or calling a friend? Let him watch something on a tablet, leave the 7 Year old home with teleworking dad (on a screen if you must) and get out for 30-45 minutes.
I did something similar with my 2 year old back when I was in a similar situation and it really helped. |
Anonymous
I've never liked audiobooks but maybe I could get into a good podcast. Any recommendations? |