In Need of More Quality Time for Myself

I can relate 100% to everything you're saying. While I no longer live in TX ;o( I joined a MOMs club and I made some fantastic friends. There's weekly activities (playgroups/outings/park days), but there's a once/month Mom's Night Out. I always looked forward to that. We'd all bring an appetizer or dessert over to someone's house and just hang out, talk, watch movies or play games. It always helped give me something to look forward to and not spend money going out! Good luck. I hope things get better for you.

IF you like to read you can take a book and go sit in a coffee shop and read. That is what I do. I live in a town where the library is close to a coffee shop so go to the library to return and check out new books then I go to the coffee shop and sit and read for a bit.

i feel the same way except liking to spend money part.haha if you look at my recent questions and answers you will know excactly what im going through too. it sucks. im going crazy too. instead of your husband watching them have your mom or his mom that way your husband wont whine. thats what i have to do cuz my husband wont watch our daughter for longer then an hour so i never get out and when i do my husband give me a time limit. i hate my life.

Hi Jen- When my kids were really little the YMCA was a lifesaver. My girls loved to spend time at "the kids zone", free daycare with your gym membership. I could go work out, walk on the treadmill or soak in the spa and they'd have fun and get out of the house too. I'm surprised at all the Mom's who are married to guys unwilling to help them more. It sounds like your husband is great but I do understand you feeling like you need to get home as I have felt that way too. There is just some crazy pressure we Mom's seem to put on ourselves even if everyone around us is saying go relax. The gym was a great break from kids, good for my attitude and I could use it to break up a long day while my husband was at work. Another way to relax is to remind yourself that your taking care of your kid's Mother. You won't be any good to anyone if you let yourself become run down and overwhelmed. Think of it as taking care of your family through taking care of yourself. Good Luck!

There are a lot of good suggestions about where to go--now if you can take your husband up on his kindness! Giving time for your husband to be the with the kids is a blessing to all of you. He and the children get precious Daddy/Kid time, which is really important for all of them to get to know each other better, enjoy each others' company, etc. It also helps him become more sympathetic to what you deal with at home, and it give him the chance to be successful as a parent.

It's also important for you get some alone time to recharge and let go of your responsibilities. Doing that BEFORE you're ready to blow means that your stress level stays lower, you're a more effective mom, you're a more loving wife, you have energy to see friends, your health isn't compromised, etc. It's just like they say on airplanes--put your own oxygen mask on first before you assist anyone else. If you're flat on your back--even emotionally--it's not helping anyone!

I speak from expreience. It's really hard to change this way of thinking, but you're not Supermom and you don't have to be! How freeing is that? You have a finite amount of energy, so it's essential to recharge as often as yo can. Remember how rare it is to have a husband who cares so much, and accept your husband's gift like you'd accept a bouquet of flowers.

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There are a lot of good suggestions about where to go--now if you can take your husband up on his kindness! Giving time for your husband to be the with the kids is a blessing to all of you. He and the children get precious Daddy/Kid time, which is really important for all of them to get to know each other better, enjoy each others' company, etc. It also helps him become more sympathetic to what you deal with at home, and it give him the chance to be successful as a parent.

It's also important for you get some alone time to recharge and let go of your responsibilities. Doing that BEFORE you're ready to blow means that your stress level stays lower, you're a more effective mom, you're a more loving wife, you have energy to see friends, your health isn't compromised, etc. It's just like they say on airplanes--put your own oxygen mask on first before you assist anyone else. If you're flat on your back--even emotionally--it's not helping anyone!

I speak from expreience. It's really hard to change this way of thinking, but you're not Supermom and you don't have to be! How freeing is that? You have a finite amount of energy, so it's essential to recharge as often as yo can. Remember how rare it is to have a husband who cares so much, and accept your husband's gift like you'd accept a bouquet of flowers.

Join the club. I also have a tendency to wait until I am on the point of going up the wall myself. If your husband is willing you need to give yourself a break. Go to a cheap movie by your self or even to the library and read for a half hour or so. Good luck.

I feel the same way sometimes and I know that because I don't like to leave the house for too long I'll just go upstairs and indulge in a bath and read a book - knowing that if I'm needed I'm right there. Getting a manicure or pedicure is great and not too expensive or time consuming. Sometimes I'll just go and get a coffee and relax for 15 while drinking it there before heading home. Little things help - if you try to do too much or be gone too long you'll worry! Good luck!

yes, check with your YMCA. Mine has the "child watch" program as well and it is free with a family membership. I plan in using it soon. I feel the same way you do. Hang in there!

I just joined a yoga studio called Core Power Yoga and it is amazing. It is very calming and energizing at the same time. When I am in class, I completely forget about everything else that's going on. It's like I get a jump start or a reboost everytime. Membership can be kind of pricey though, so I joined the work for trade program. I clean one shift a week (2-3 hours) in exchange for free yoga. I am loving it! Check it out online www.corepoweryoga.com and contact a studio near you.

One idea could be to sign up for a class (exercise, sport, art... whatever you're into) So at least once a week you have somewhere to go that's just for you. I take Karate 2-3 times a week and find when I'm in class I'm not thinking about anything but what I'm doing in class. I always feel good afterward and happy that I did something just for me. :)

Good suggestions already. When money is tight, try a night in at home. For that, your husband truly has to help. He needs to be the solo parent even though you are technically still there. He has to keep the noise to a dull roar so you aren't anxiously keeping one ear open.

Anyway, the past few years, I have used my new year's resolution to learn something new...Something I can more or less teach myself at home. I have tackled embroidery, knitting, experimental cooking, and last year I added time-at-the-gym which isn't technically a stay-at-home activity but it has led me to try out some dvds at home.