Motherhood is a boon, of course, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Raising a toddler and finding me time for moms is a battle in itself, but that’s what is called ‘self-care’ and that’s equally important! A 2020 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that maternal self-care and leisure time are directly linked to lower stress levels and better parent-child bonding.
While raising a kid, finding how moms can relax with toddlers is absolutely rare, but it is extremely crucial for your overall parenting and mental health.
7 Realistic Ways Moms Can Reclaim Me Time While Raising Toddlers
Now that you are already moving through this journey of mixed emotions, here are a couple of ways that would help you to reclaim your self-care time while your kids are growing up:
1. Segregate your household chores and involve your whole family in it
Be it cleaning the home, washing the dishes or mopping the floor, involve your entire family in all the tasks. It is not just your sole responsibility, and thus, discuss with your partner about it if needed.
A study in BMC Women’s Health (2021) emphasized that mothers who received emotional or physical help from their partner or extended family had significantly lower stress levels and better mental health outcomes.
Well, you may also consider using a baby wrap or a baby carrier while you settle the works but that’s not an option all the time. All you need is to explore multiple choices and prioritize your schedule accordingly.
2. Count your toddler’s nap time with yours!
Still wondering about how moms can get me time, particularly the ‘new moms’? You are truly lucky enough if your baby mimics your waking patterns and thus sleeps when you do! However, if that’s not the case for you, it is essential for you to manage your sleep time with your toddler.
Remember, sleep struggles are not going to last forever, so stay calm and you will soon be able to figure things out. In fact, a study by the Sleep Research Society found that chronic sleep deprivation in mothers can lead to increased anxiety and reduced ability to cope with parenting stress (2018).
3. Set your own boundary
These boundaries can be either physical or mental. It may be about finding a separate room for you to enjoy your own me-time, have some snacks in between nursing the baby or simply relax for a couple of hours at the end of the day. Create a mini relaxation corner with a cozy chair, some calming tea, and a lavender oil diffuser to help you unwind. Understanding its significance would take time, but once you are able to get it done, things will automatically start falling into place.
4. Try out time-saving meal options
One of the major self-care tips for toddler momsis to cut down your time in preparing the grocery lists, meal planning and cooking. You can free up time is by prepping time-saving toddler meals in advance. Talk to your partner if he can help you with those activities.
Another way out is to avail services where you can have a house-help for you to cook your meals, wash the utensils or maybe, have your groceries delivered right to your home.
I understand that taking these kinds of services might not be in your budget for long, but at least count on them for a little while now so that you can ease some of the burden from a busy mom routine.
5. Think of other career options if this one is exhausting!
One of the most realistic self-care ideas for moms is to think of other career options if this current one is adding unnecessary stress and difficulty in managing your mom-time. Switch from a full-time job to a part-time occupation, or maybe, think of freelancing if that suits you the best.
6. Balance parenting with self-care activities
Are you still worried about how to balance parenting and self-care? Well, consider going to yoga sessions, exercises, or maybe walking and strolling around with your little one. Even 10 minutes on a non-slip yoga mat can help refresh your body and mind as reported by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2017).
This way, it will be beneficial for both of you. While your kids will learn to grasp these motor skills, it will be effective for your physical and mental health, too. Swimming is another great hit among the toddlers. Of course, this will be an advantage for your overall health, while adding fun to your kids at the same time.
Besides, stay hydrated throughout the day with a motivational water bottle that reminds you to drink regularly.
7. Learn the art of saying a “NO”
You might be okay with a lot of things earlier, but now it’s high time that you should say “NO,” particularly to things that will consume a lot of your time or leave you devastated at the end of the day. No doubt, this is one of the most effective tips when it comes to figuring out ways of self-care with a toddler at home.
Tried-and-Tested Favorites for Busy Moms
1. Baby wrap or a baby carrier
Bottom line:
For all those newly overwhelmed moms, know that you are the best for your kid in all aspects. There’s no one on this earth who can help you figure out what would work ideally for your kid. If a hack has worked with one kid, that does not necessarily mean that it will work for your toddler, too! Every child is different, and so are the moms, and their schedules and situations, too!
Remember, prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s survival. Learn how to tackle parenting burnout and mom guilt with small daily practices.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How to establish a consistent toddler nap time routine?
Establishing a consistent toddler nap time routine is crucial to regulating your baby’s sleep-wake cycles. Creating a calm environment with soft lighting and a white noise machine, ensuring a comfortable room temperature, or preparing a quiet playtime post feeding are some of the ways you can think of!
How to use your baby’s nap time wisely?
Depending on your priorities, prepare a to-do checklist based on your household chores or personal needs. You should use nap time wisely to make sure that you are not missing out on important tasks while your toddler is asleep.
Establishing a consistent toddler nap time routine is crucial to regulating your baby’s sleep-wake cycles.
Want more practical parenting tips like this? Explore more self-care strategies and toddler hacks that actually work—right here on ParentingKiddos.
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