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Every mom needs a break – even ones who choose to stay home all day with their kids! If you are home with your kiddos everyday, you need to build in alone time or ways to recharge and refresh. If you don’t, you’ll quickly burn out. Incorporate some (or all) of these suggestions to your regular routine so that you don’t!
1. Drop off program
Whether it’s an art class, a gym class, or an all afternoon homeschool group, there could be a drop-off program in your area where you can take your kids for a few hours – and leave them there! Use this time to run some errands, get coffee, or just sit in your car with a book or a podcast.
2. Get up early or stay up late
Maybe you’re an early riser or a night owl – either way, you can find a time when your kids are sleeping to get time to yourself. I don’t recommend this if you’re in the newborn stage when your baby isn’t sleeping through the night yet. If you’re out of this stage, though, this time when the whole house is asleep has been crucial for me. I’m not much of an early riser, so nighttime is when I get much of my alone time.
3. Hire a babysitter
A lot of moms feel guilty for hiring a babysitter, when they stay home during the day. But shed this guilt, sister! There is nothing wrong with having a babysitter watch your kids so that you can take a break, run some errands, get some me-time, or work on a project.
4. Institute regular quiet time
After my boys stopped napping, we kept a regular quiet time going. I needed this time! Now that most of my kids are older, we don’t enforce it, but they are (usually ;) naturally drawn to quieter activities in the afternoon.
5. Take turns having a night off with your husband
My husband and I regularly take turns having a night off – in or out of the house! When our boys are doing cross country or track, one of us will take them to practice (they all go to the same one) while the other gets to stay home and get some free time. Then the next practice, we switch. During off seasons, we will give each other breaks from the bedtime routine or a night out with friends. Of course, a date night together is also a great way to recharge!
6. Swap kids with a homeschool friend every week or every other week
Other homeschool moms are in the same boat you’re in – they could use a break too! Start a kid swap with a friend, so that you take turns watching each others’ kids an afternoon a week. Your kids get to play with friends (which can make your day go a little easier!) and you each get some time to yourselves. If you have little ones who aren’t ready for this, try scheduling this over their naptime so that you can still take advantage of some alone time. If they wake early, pop them in the baby carrier while you get things done!
7. Put an older child in charge while you take a break in your room or hire a mother’s helper
If you have an older, responsible child, put them in charge of your littles while you take a break (or a nap!) in another room. Don’t have an older child? Connect with your local homeschool group to find a mother’s helper.
8. Join a Bible study or a mom’s group with childcare
When my kids were young, I was regularly involved in a mom’s group or Bible study every week. My littles would go to the childcare, while I got to have some adult conversation and fill my spiritual cup. I did this for many years, and it was something I really looked forward to!
9. Drive around with your kids buckled in and listen to a podcast
If you’re in a season when you just can’t get away from the kids, buckle them in the car, drive around, get some coffee, and listen to a podcast in your earbuds. Bonus if this brings on a car nap. ;) When my kids were small, we would drive over the airport and watch the planes take off and land while we ate lunch in the car. I would listen to my own audiobook or podcast while my boys were entertained. This was a fave of mine when my husband was out of town.
10. Take your kids to a library with a kids’ area sit and read your own book while they play/read
Libraries usually have a kids’ area where you can take your kiddos to play. Grab your own book while they play in an safe space. If you have a really little one (especially one who likes to run!) bring your stroller so that they can look at board books while contained in the stroller while your bigger kids play.
11. Take up a hobby
Learn to sew, garden, etc. so that you have something to put your hands to, use creative energy, and feel accomplished. I know it can feel sometimes like you don’t have the time when you’re a busy stay-at-home/homeschooling mom, but it actually can help you! Even a few minutes each day to read a book you enjoy, do some sewing, spend time in the garden, or do something just for fun, can boost your mood and help you feel recharged.
12. Put on a movie for your kids and go call a friend
On the days when leaving the house isn’t an option, there is zero shame in some intentional screen time! Use that time wisely to do something that fills you up – call a friend, take a nap, run on the treadmill… whatever it is that will leave you feeling refreshed. If you are having a hard time meeting up with friends in person, I highly recommend making some time like this to intentionally connect with friends. Don’t just scroll social media – actually connect via phone, video chat, or a messaging app like Marco Polo or even just sending voice messages. This will help you feel less alone in your motherhood!
13. Invite a friend and their kids over to visit while the kids play
Can’t get out to visit friends? Bring them to you! Don’t stress about having a clean house, the perfect snacks, or being an amazing hostess. Just spend time with a friend and let your kids play together! If it’s easier, tell them you want to just play outside – then you don’t have to worry about your house at all. Make some coffee (or send her a gift card to pick some up on her way) and chat while your kiddos run around.
14. Recognize whether you need time alone or time together
Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, there are times when we need to be with others – and times we need to be alone. Think about what you need right now. Is being alone going to contribute to your negative mood or will it pull you out of it? Will conversation with a good friend be just what you need or is it more stressful right now? Recognizing your needs can take time, if this isn’t something you do regularly, but it’s an important part of recharging!
15. Journal, pray, spend time with the Lord
“Self-care” is great, but if you truly want to be refreshed, you need to go straight to the source. Spending time with the Father will do more than just boost your mood, it will fill your soul.
This video will give you some guilt-free tips on getting in the Word everyday.
Do you have a favorite way to recharge? Leave it in the comments!