Most mom knows how difficult is is to find time for themselves during the day between the kids, work, taking care of the house…and on, and on, and on. Any single mom knows how insanely difficult this task is! We don’t have the luxury of passing a screaming child off to our spouse or partner to go take a bath, or read a book. We don’t get to avoid difficult bedtime for even just one night. We are the ones responsible for it all, and it is draining. By the time we’ve worked all day — and that can mean in the house or outside of it! — cooked and served dinner, cleaned up dinner, tackled any homework needs, bathed the kiddos, wrestled them into their pajamas, brushed teeth, and tended to them the 27th time they have gotten out of bed…I’m exhausted just typing that. And that is every night, y’all! You know how it is! Woof.

Usually by the time we’ve given our all to our precious babies, there’s very little left for ourselves. And I know we’ve all heard the saying – “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And it is so TRUE! I want to share a few little things I try to do when there is time each day…actually, scratch that. These are some little things that we need to make time for each day!

• Make a cup of coffee or tea – and drink it while it is hot!
• Read even just one chapter of a book before you crash for the night.
• Buy a sheet mask for your face – or make your own face mask.
• Wax your eyebrows.
• Paint your nails.
• Go to bed early.
• Create something.
• Binge on some Netflix or Hulu.
• Come up with a nightly routine before bed – and stick to it!
• Journal.
• Work some fresh flowers into your budget.
• Light a candle (in a safe — kid free! — zone, of course).
• Do some guided meditation.
• Read a magazine.
• Take a hot bath.
• Learn a new hobby.
• Try some ASMR videos (headphones make them even better!)
• Turn on some music (maybe pop in some ear buds) and dance.
• Make a phone call to a loved one.
• Turn off your phone — and do nothing.

Self care looks different for everyone. Personally, I truly enjoy alone time. If it is comforting for you to spend time alone, curled up on the couch with a nice soft blanket, remote or book in hand, go for it! If you’re the type that thrives on commotion and action and noise and for you, its a break to go out for a night on the town with your besties – do it!

Above all, we need to be kind to ourselves. If you hole up in the bathroom for a few extra minutes because you need to just sit and not be touched or talked to for a bit – that’s okay.
If you give the toddler your phone to play a game or watch a video for a few minutes(or longer!) while you get something else done – that’s okay.
If you need to leave the dishes in the sink overnight and deal with them tomorrow – that’s okay.
If you need to have the kitchen spotless before going to bed – that’s okay.
If your kids need to wear the same pair of socks two days in a row, because the laundry has piled up – that’s okay.

Self care is not selfish.

Once again for the people in the back?
SELF. CARE. IS. NOT. SELFISH.

We need to take care of ourselves, in order to be the best we can for our sweet babies. And there is never any shame in that. I’d love to hear the things you do to care for yourself when time allows!