• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Shop
    • Gabi's Favorites >
      • Clothing
      • Lifestyle
      • Toys
      • Baby Essentials
    • Mom's Favorites >
      • Clothing
      • Lifestyle
      • Beauty
      • Accessories
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Shop
    • Gabi's Favorites >
      • Clothing
      • Lifestyle
      • Toys
      • Baby Essentials
    • Mom's Favorites >
      • Clothing
      • Lifestyle
      • Beauty
      • Accessories
  • Contact
 Gabi's Mom

Read. Like. Love.

How to make time for yourself as a single mother

8/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I cant remember the last time I had a real night off and I am sure I am not the only one. I will be honest, the hectic routine of rushing back after work to pick up Gabi, cook dinner, feed her, bath her, putting her to bed then after that is done still do the cleaning and pack the lunch boxes... Just writing this makes me want to run for the hills!
Moms need breaks too and we should seriously consider to take these breaks before we...Break! Even though I am a very happy person and Gabi being such a easy toddler, being a single parent gets to you. I am tired, I feel like I need to get away from everyone and everything but just for a few hours just to recharge my batteries.

We get so caught up in raising our kids that we forget to look after ourselves and fall down to the bottom of the priority list. One thing is true and I can relate: A happy mom = A happy Child. My negative moods are mirrored by Gabi and this make things just worse.

Tonight Gabi's father came to visit her so instead of going for a long run or getting started on my daily routine, I got into my car and went shopping and out to my favorite coffee shop. For me shopping is like a quick trip to a therapist. Brought myself a sexy little sparkling dress... for the next night out and ending up at Woolworths coffee shop with my flatmate for our favorite coffee; Grande Honey and nut lattes.

Taking that first sip of my coffee, is like: ahhhhhhh wonderful! I was out for less than 2 hours but my battery was fully recharged. You don't have to be out the whole day or go out with a bang. Just do something that you love, go for a walk, give your best friend or sister a personal phone call, go for a message or just go read a book at the park down the road.

Being a mother is not easy and being a single parent is very hard but you are important too. Look after yourself the same way you care for your kids. You deserve all the time in the world and when you feel on top of the world, you will even be a better parent to your kids.
Picture
Get Help  
Family and friends are there for a reason. Ask the people around you to help out. Your best friend can babysit while you are out shopping for a few hours or ask a family member to babysit for the night so you can enjoy a night out or even just to relax at home, watching a movie or best, get a good night sleep.

Not just will you feel our old self, but  your kids will have a good time too with family and friends. Believe it or not, but your kids also need time away from the daily routine.

Don't let go of your dreams
Remember that your kids are growing up in a blink of an eye and they will leave the house and then its only YOU. While you are raising your kids, hold on to yourself and live the life you want to live. There is nothing wrong to make sacrifices for your kids but make time for the things in your life that you need to make you the best person you want to be.  Only you can make your dreams come true, so why not start today. Start small but dream BIG! You can raise your kids and make your dreams come true at the same time.

The following things do not count for "me time"
  • Grocery shopping
  • Cleaning out the garage or unpacking your wardrobe
  • Taking your mother to the dentist
  • Anything that includes the kids

Things to do for your next "me time"
  • Paint your nails or even better, go for a pedicure
  • Watch your favorite TV show or a movie
  • Go for coffee with your best friend or even alone
  • Have glass of wine while reading your book
  • Go sit outside and get some sun on that skin of yours
  • Take a looooooong nap
  • Take a bubble bath - ALONE!
  • Go for a walk
Whatever you love doing, start to make time for it. Why not start out with one night a week. Break the daily routine and believe me, it will make the biggest difference to you and your kids.

Well, go pour that glass of wine or put on your trainers and go for a walk or even better, call your best friend and go out for a nice cup of coffee. What I am I doing now? I am drinking a nice cup of tea, painting my nails and writing up more blog posts.
THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE - IS IN YOURSELF!!!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Nadia Janse van Rensburg

    Nadia Janse van Rensburg

    Random thoughts, tips and advice, ramblings & pretty awesome life lessons of a  working, good food fanatic, fitness fond, and single mom striving to be the best mommy possible.

    Archives

    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Baby Fashion
    Baby On The Way
    Baby Room
    Baby Shower
    Breakfast
    Children And Tv
    Discipline And Rules
    DIY
    Exceptional Life Moments
    Exercise
    Family
    Fashion
    Habits
    Hairstyles
    Health
    Lunch
    Mommy Tips
    Oats Milk
    Online Shopping
    Outing
    Parent Advice
    Pregnancy
    Prepping
    Recipes
    Snacks
    Stay In Shape
    Storage
    Vegan
    Yoga

    Please click! A visit a day boosts my blog ranking at Top Mommy Blogs - The Best Mommy Blog Directory Ever!
    Sticky-Fudge Children Clothing
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.