Stealing a Moment

I get very little time to myself and I really do have to steal a moment when I can. Here lately I find myself getting up around 5 or so to just enjoy my quiet house, have coffee and use the computer without anyone yelling at me, needing something from me or asking for something (DH included! : ) ) I've started working out at home when the babies nap - on most days all three usually nap together at noon. Yesterday DH took the big babies to the beach for a couple of hours and I was able to clean the house. It made me realize what a blessing it would be to live closer to family who could take the lo's for a few hours a couple of times a week so we could have a little break or just accomplish basic things, like folding laundry. I never thought cleaning my house would be my preferred way to spend my free time, but it made me sane again! The mess was out of control. :wacko: How do you ladies squeeze in time for yourself and what do you do?

 

I get up earlier then kids so I can eat my breakfast and do somethings on the computer. During their nap time, I will do a workout on TV or some cleaning. Those are the times when I get to do things for myself during the day.

 

I do the same thing. I wake up earlier so that I can have my cup of coffee and catch up on the news and get any work done. When my girls take their nap, I do the chores and finish up any work for the office and home (phone calls, etc..) and then since I am still recoverying from my mountain bike accident, do my rehab streching and ice my shoulder.

Last week I had a meeting for work by my house and ended up having some "free time" before having to pick up my girls. I booked it home so that I could clean the house without being interupted! No luxury of getting a pedicure or milling around or even being able to go for a run....just clean.. The exotic life (haha)

 

I agree on getting up early... it is my time to shower and organize myself for the day. Unload dishwasher, reload, get breakfast set up for kids, clothes laid out, check email.

Other than that, it is hard to sneak the time in for myself. Naptime is often a rush to get basic cleaning done-clean the worst looking toilet, get mail out, take garbage out.

I have been known to tell DH my stomach is upset... and proceed to sit in the bathroom with the door closed for 20 minutes reading my magazine. Just to be alone, and to breathe.

 

I used to love naptime for that reason, but no more naps here. Mine get only 1 hr of TV a day and that is my time. Sometimes I clean, do computer, nap, but I don't have to worry about them. It is great.

 

I wake early and go to bed late. I only get to enjoy the benefit of a nap in the morning for 40 minutes (enough time to get ready for work and get everyone ready for the day) and on the weekends.
I put the boys to bed, so after 7 pm is my time!-)

 

I try to do 1st nap everyday cleaning/straightening, 2nd nap I nap or rest then spend the rest of the time either prepping for dinner or doing special cleaning stuff like floors or bathrooms. I work at night so when I get home I eat then try to wind down quickly for bed.

 

My "me" time is after my kids are in bed. My oldest 2 go to bed at 8 and 8:30 for school. The twins go down around 9-9:30. After that, dh and I play computer games together for awhile, or watch a movie. Then I take a bath and read my book, and then go to bed. I rarely do housework or cleaning, by that time of night I am exhausted and ready to just decompress.

Sometimes I can squeeze a nap in during their nap time, but my oldest ds gets home from school during nap and usually needs help with homework, so my naps are few and far between

 

Sounds like getting up early is the secret for a lot of us. DH and I sometimes joke that we'd like to apologize for ever saying we were tired or busy to someone with kids before we had kids. Only since becoming a Mommy to three babies under the age of two do I know what tired and busy really mean! We also really wonder what we did with all of our free time before we had our lo's. I'm amazed at how much more efficient I am these days and how much I can get done with only an hour or two by myself. I think I will have to use the upset-stomach line sometime and sneak away for a little peace and quiet - even if it is in the bathroom. That's classic!

 

On weekdays I get up early and get myself and breakfast ready before the boys wake up. It's the only way I can get anything done! Then when they go to bed, it's time for cleaning, reading, TV and the occasional glass of wine. My guys are really demanding, and we're lucky to get time to do anything when they're awake!