Alone time is far and few between for moms, but when everyone’s stuck in the house and underfoot, it’s an even hotter commodity. Let's be real: There’s not much a mom won’t do in the name of sanity and a hot cup of coffee these days.
It doesn’t make a mom a bad person because she needs time alone. It makes her human and it’s not just for her. Some time away has saved many a child and marriage throughout history. The funny part is that the child and spouse probably didn’t even realize Mom’s sanity and health was in jeopardy because moms are just that good at putting everyone else first. Realistically, many opportunities for self-care aren't going to present themselves, so here's how 20 moms sneak in the alone time they so desperately need.
White Lies
“At Christmas time I told my husband I had to wrap gifts and half the time I just sat in silence on my phone. It was MAGICAL. I also love to tell my toddler to go look out the window and tell me what he sees. This gifts me a few minutes to sit and relax without whining or being crawled on.” – Joyce S.
Practice Yoga, But Really Just Go Hide
“I get plenty of exercise and peace teaching yoga, but I will also just crawl into bed, put my earplugs in and ignore everything for an hour (or more — the benefit of having older kids that can function on their own!)” – Peryl C.
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
“I’m woman enough to admit, I’ve faked illness and injury just to be alone. I don’t feel great about it, but I’d do it again.” – Nicole B.
The Early Bird Gets To Be Alone
“I wake up at 5 a.m. and work out for an hour. Me time. I have learned to put myself first and giving myself this important time each day helps me deal with everything else.” — Eliana T.
Buddy System
“I'm lucky to have a great spouse who is truly a co-parent. He'll wrangle kids without me when I need a break and keep them from finding me.” – Meredith S.
Driveway Getaway
“Heated seats, NPR and my phone in the driveway.” – Molly T.
Port-a-Party of One
“In the past, I would sit in the bathroom with the shower on for a while before actually getting in! Now, I don’t sneak alone time in — I plan it and let them know it’s my alone time. If we don’t give it to ourselves, no one will!” — Espi A.
Fun in the Sun ... Sorta
“I go tanning at a salon. I lay in that warm bed pretending I'm laying on a beach somewhere tropical, listening to my favorite music! It's very relaxing and even though it's only for 12 minutes, I feel refreshed after. I also get a workout in while the baby naps — that really gives me energy to finish out the day!” – Bertha T.
Late-Night Alone Time
“I stay up after they go to bed and read or watch something I want to watch.” – Lisa C.
10 Minutes a Day
“I go to my bedroom and shut the door, put on headphones, and meditate or read for 10 minutes.” – Cielo R.
Maximize Free Time
“As a couple, my husband and I take random car rides, pick up food and listen to music for a couple of hours while the little one is at day care. As a mom, I place Target pick-up orders at the farthest Target from me to take my own drive alone or wake up early before the kids and scroll my phone undisturbed for an hour.” – Vanessa C.
Rain or Shine Workout Time
“I go for walks. After my husband gets home, I go walk around the neighborhood for an hour with headphones in. If it’s cold, I bundle up and go anyway. It’s the only alone time I can get reliably, and I need it.” – Ashley A.
It's the Little Things
"I get my eyebrows done every two weeks and sneak in some Winans coffee and even [online] grocery shopping.”– Mary G.
Stolen Moments
“I always get in an early morning workout. The bonus to waking up super early by myself is that I have one — or even two — cups of hot coffee that I can sip in peace. I function best as a parent after that hour or two of alone time first thing in the morning — there is a noticeable difference in my patience and motivation to entertain them when I don’t start the day with any alone time.” — Kristen W.
Be Still
"Tonight, the girls are making us dinner. We get to have a romantic date at the counter sipping a glass of wine while they stay busy cooking!” – Nicole V.
All by Herself
“Just sitting in the car, alone, in the driveway after I've returned from the grocery store.” – Tiffany M.
Make It a Regular Family Habit
“I find that if you want alone time, you have to take it. When my kids were little, my husband took all of them out to do something special every Monday night and that was my time. We did this for years and it was wonderful. Now I have my own prayer room to which I retreat every evening for at least an hour. When the weather is nice, I have porch time every evening for at least an hour. Everyone knows this is my time and while they may interrupt to ask a question or something, they mostly leave me to it.” — Leslie S.
A Long, Hot Bath
“I've always loved to take baths in the evening after the kids have gone to bed.” – Jessica D.
Podcast Escape
“I put on my headphones and listen to a podcast while I make dinner or bake something, so it’s like I’m alone in my head.” — Yvonne C.
Running for Your Life
“I don’t know if this is sneaking in … but I started running and now I join challenges to make sure I get out of the house and get my run in, because it is so easy to just brush it off” – Diana G.
Scheduled Me Time
“I don't sneak alone time anymore. I've made it a priority and a non-negotiable. I PLAN it in my calendar and I schedule it much like any other important appointment or to-do item. I've made it an important part of my life, so my family knows to honor it.” – Danyelle L.
