It’s summer! Which means us Moms (especially those of us who work from home) are usually stuck with the kids all day, every day.
Adjusting to a new schedule (or, no schedule at all) can be tough. But that doesn’t mean Mom should be skimping out on her own self-care time.
Here are some self-care activity ideas for Mom that she can do, even if the children are home all day during the summer!
Schedule an hour of Mommy Time!
It’s easiest to try to keep the kids on some kind of schedule, similar to what they had during the school year.
So why not after lunch, or anytime that’s convenient, schedule an hour of Mommy Time?
That’s where children have to fend of themselves – be it playing outside, or watching their favorite tv show. Whatever it takes to keep them occupied for exactly one hour. During that hour, no pestering Mom for another snack, or a turn on the Xbox. Whatever they need, unless they are literally dying, can wait until the hour is over.
Sure, it might be total anarchy once the hour is over. But Mom needs to be able to relax, and focus on herself. Asking for one hour a day isn’t much, and won’t ruin summer break.
Summer Reading Lists
Summer reading isn’t just great for the kids – Mom can benefit too!
Get the children started on their own summer reading, and take advantage of the time given for a little self-care.
Make it fun – Mommy will plan a pizza party when everyone finishes 20 books before the end of summer! Or, whatever reasonable goal and befitting reward Mom is willing to compromise with.
While the kids are busy being quiet and reading their tails off, Mom can do the things she wants/needs to do for herself.
If that includes doing some reading of her own, even better. Then the summer reading list isn’t just a distraction for the kids; it’s a family activity!
But a quiet activity, at that.
Go Outside!
Sometimes, Mom just needs a break from the mundane.
Making a point of going outside, can keep Mom from becoming overwhelmed. No laundry to look at, no emails to answer, no chores to do. Unless you count gardening.
But just being outside for a few minutes a day, can do wonders for your mind and body! A chance to breathe fresh air, forget the daily chore list and be mindful for a few moments. This is especially helpful when the kids are just super rambunctious, no matter what activity you have them doing.
The best part is, the kids don’t have to be involved! Leave them to their devices if they aren’t interested! Mom can go outside and relax on the porch swing during her Mommy Time, or just whenever she needs a few moments to recenter.
Be it Meditation, prayer, journaling; whatever your way of refilling your proverbial cup is, we all need time to focus on ourselves.
We shouldn’t let the new routine of Summer, and the kids being home all day, get in the way of that.
Author Bio
Jasmine is a Wife to a former member of the USMC, and Mother to one boy. You can read her blog on parenting, self-care, and other topics at Love, Life, Laugh, Motherhood.com
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