An hour. Sixty Minutes. Three thousand-six hundred seconds. A period of time which can go by in the flash of an eye, or can feel like a luxurious eternity. My appreciation of the humble hour has increased dramatically since becoming a parent. I have always been someone who endeavours to use time as efficiently as possible – to the extent where sometimes I have to be told to stop and switch-off for a bit. But children have a wonderful way of consuming every moment when they are awake. So these days when H is awake, my time is almost exclusively focused on her. Everything I would have previously spent several hours doing in my pre-Mum life now has to be condensed. Efficiency has been taken to a whole new level!
During our usual chaotic Sunday morning recently, I flashbacked to what a similar morning would have looked like in 2013 – a time before I had a child, before I was even pregnant. I’ve never been a late riser so would get-up at what I thought was an early hour of 7:45am. I’d go downstairs in my PJs and have breakfast. Then over a cup of tea I would spend an hour-or-so reading, listening to some tunes or watching some episodes on TV. Then I’d go get dressed and start the day. It’s in complete contrast to my mornings now…
I don’t resent my ‘new’ life at all, in any way. But it has made me treasure the time where I am not at the mercy of a strong-willed toddler. Little H’s nap time is sacred to me; I will make sure we get home before her nap so she goes down in her cot (no chance of moving her once she’s asleep!) or I will schedule visitors to arrive after she’s awoken so my ‘me’ time isn’t taken up entertaining! Yes, I know that makes me found terribly anti social but I need that break from others. Also the amount I can get done in an hour now is quite impressive. This afternoon I washed-up from lunch, cleaned the bathroom, made some muffins (for my work breakfast) and then sat down with a cuppa. Without that nap time, I’d rarely have any time just to myself. Those 60 – 120 minutes I get Frid – Mon, quite honestly keep me sane!
More often than not, part of nap time will be taken up doing chores. But over the last almost-2-years as a Mum, I have realised it’s important to be selfish now and again; To take some time for me and me alone. Most of that ‘me’ time is for me to sit down and do my blogging or exercising. But occasionally it needs to be something that takes me completely out of routine
I strongly suspect many parents are guilty of not giving themselves a regular break to focus on their physical and mental well being. It’s so easy to find more things that need doing. But whilst a snatched 5 – 10 minutes of downtime is enough on a day-to-day basis, the sometimes a bit longer is needed. Sometimes, we need an hour! So get the other half to look after the kids. Or put the get the grandparents round. Send them off to the park, or into town. Turn off your laptop, your phone and your tablet. Take 60 minutes back for yourself and do something FOR YOU!
If you’re stuck for ideas of what to do (because it’s been that long), here are some suggestions:
- Have a nice hot bath with a book and a cup of tea / glass of wine;
- Watch an episode of your favourite TV show giving it your complete attention;
- Snuggle up on the sofa and read a book;
- Do a proper workout, with a nice stretch afterwards;
- Go for a massage;
- Go and get your hair cut;
- Wander aimlessly round the shops (not buying kids clothes) and stop off for a cuppa with a magazine;
- Ring a friend you haven’t spoken to for ages;
- Bake something you really fancy eating;
How often do you get an hour just for yourself? What do you do? Or what would you do?
40 comments On What would you do with an hour?
I had PND and I really needed that hour sometimes. A Dr told me to never use it for chores always use it for me and it really really helped in my recovery. Great suggestions. #FamilyFun
That’s great advice from your Dr. Glad to hear some of medical profession are advising that! Thanks for reading xx
Strongly agree with this. I think we’d all go nuts if we didn’t take that break every once in a while #familyfun
Definitely. But I know so many friends who don’t! Thanks for reading!
I would sleep, as deeply as possible! #familyfun
Crummy Mummy recently posted…Why I can’t wait to be ‘just’ a mum
Well I hope that you get an hour of your own very soon!! xx
Ah this is very spot on and probably true for many of us. Although my eldest no longer naps so I don’t get that illusive hour anymore. If I do ever find myself with some me time I do love just sitting and watching greys anatomy! Thanks for joining us at #familyfun x
Glad you have a fave show to watch. Hope you get an hour or so now and then. I suspect I won’t have the pleasure of nap time by the time this year ends. Thanks for stopping by x
My kids are older, but that “me” time is still needed. Every parent should have a little time for themselves x
#FamilyFun
Ali Duke recently posted…My Goals for 2017
Oh absolutely. Yes, I didn’t mean to imply it’s only needed for young children. Hope you manage to get some regular time for yourself! Thanks for reading xx
I couldn’t agree more, me-time during Elliots nap time is what keeps me sane, sure I don’t get all the housework done, but who cares?! I often ask myself will I really look back when I’m old and think oh I wish I had tidied more! (I don’t think so 😉 ) anyway thanks for sharing xx #familyfun
Josefine recently posted…A day spent in Copenhagen
Good philosophy! Thanks for reading xx
Aww those hours come back as the children get older, I promise! I am regularly the first one up at the weekend and I love those couple of hours to catch up on blogging and social media with a hot cup of coffee – or maybe two! Aww sorry to gloat but I appreciate it even more now having had three children under 4!! Enjoy though lovely as it goes by so very quickly #fortheloveofBLOG
justsayingmum recently posted…Owning Motherhood
No apologies needed! It’s nice to know that time is a gift I’ll get back in the future. I don’t want to wish time with my daughter away of course but it can be tough at times. Enjoy your time though – you’ve definitely earned it! Thanks for reading xx
It’s so important to have ‘you’ time and an hour makes all the difference. I find Puds naptimes sacred too but sadly some days he only has one instead of two!!
#MarvMondays
I remember how hard it was when 2 naps became 1. Hopefully once you’ve made the transition, you’ll get a decent chunk of time! I missed having 2 naps but now I generally get a solid 2 hour block which is proving to be better. Thanks for reading x
I’m the same with nap time and almost never schedule a visitor during it. I like to sit and watch Netflix and take an hour or two to gather my thoughts again!
#KCACOLS
Glad I’m not alone in realising nap time is our ‘lunch break’ and it’s fine to do something for us 🙂 Thanks for reading x
Love this post. An hour can go so quick or so slow depending on what you’re doing!! I’m all for making the most of time, and am resolving to try not to waste time on my phone and instead of enjoy a soak in the bath or doing something more productive! Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays
Yes, I end up wasting more time that I should on some days which is upsetting but I’m getting better… Thanks for reading xx
Having an hour to myself is something I make a mandatory part of my week or I go stir crazy. I think everyone should take a little bit of time out and away from other people to regroup – we are all so busy! Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofBLOG x
A Mum Track Mind recently posted…How To Choose The Perfect Family Holiday
Glad you manage to make time for yourself in your busy schedule. I think some people really don’t learn to put themselves first and everyone suffers in the long run. We all deserve some alone time to do ‘whatever’! Thanks for reading x
Take time for a massage is the ultimate in my luxury tick list and I do try and make some time now and again to do that.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
Mainy
mainy – myrealfairy recently posted…How to time manage your way back to happiness
I love getting a massage too. I don’t manage to do it very often at all but when I do, I am completely zoned out the whole time. Great way to spend some free time. Thanks for reading! x
hehe Angela I used to do exactly the same when b napped! I’d make sure I was back in time to put him down properly and there’s no way I’d have visitors! I wanted time to myself. before I started blogging properly I used to crochet or read. it was bliss!!! #KCACOLS
Emma recently posted…6 Business and Marketing Blogs You Should Read Now!
Sounds like you used your time well! I’m not sure what I will do when nap time disappears…which I suspect will be this year. If you have any tips for getting time back once nap time is no-more then I would appreciate them!
Great ideas. I think it is so important to give time for yourself when you’re a parent. I loose my mind if I don’t!
#MarvMondays
Glad you manage to get some time for yourself! Thanks for reading xx
Unfortunately my daughter will never go for a nap in her cot. She will only sleep whilst moving in her carseat or pushchair. it’s not so bad though as while she naps I walk around the shops with a coffee. Win win! #DreamTeam
That’s frustrating when they won’t sleep where you want them to! My daughter won’t sleep as long in the buggy as in her cot and wakes if I stop which is what drove me to always being at home. Love how they are all unique though! Glad that you have found something fun to do during naptime at least 🙂 Thanks for reading x
Oh I absolutely love this post. Mine don’t nap now obviously as my youngest is 7 (how did that happen), but I can remember how much I needed that break when they napped. It is so important to not feel guilty for mazing time for us!! Lovely post xx
Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…this is for anyone who has ever suffered from mummy guilt
Thanks for your lovely comment. I think personal time is so important whatever your circumstance. But you definitely feel the need for it more acutely when you have smalls! xx
Since my eldest started school in September, I now get an hour nap time when my youngest is napping. It’s so nice and I protect it to. I need that time!! X #marvmondays
How awesome to have got nap time back for a little bit. Glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for reading xx
A casual browse around the shops sounds idyllic, although I’d happily take an hour to do the big shop alone! Not having to use crisps as bribes and having time to look at the homeward, now that sounds perfect!
#KCACOLS
Becky recently posted…Out and About – The Tiny Feet Bistro
Hehe, it’s funny when us mums take a child-free big shop as a bit of ‘time out’! But that’s a great example actually. Last time I had a day off I did the big shop so I could browse for tasty treats for a change. Thanks for reading xx
Oh the magical hour. So much time, and so many things you could to with it. Like you, I remember pre children being able to do pretty much as I pleased. Though, I am way more productive now than I ever have been. Fab post. Thanks so much for linking up to the #DreamTeam xx
Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…Chasing My Writing Dreams
I know, nothing embodies productivity better than a mum! (Sorry dads but you know it’s true…haha.) Thanks for reading x
A whole hour! Knowing me I’d probably waste it on social media and regret taking my phone out. #KCACOLS
Geraldine recently posted…20 Weeks Halfway There
Haha, I’m getting better at not doing that but it does happen… x
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About Me
Hello, I'm Angela. I'm Mum to two small people (4 & 1). I'm a Gardener, am houseplant obsessed and addicted to tea. By day I work in tech and also look after my littles. I'm trying to get our family to live a more sustainable life. I also have far too many opinions...hence the blog. You can read more about me here. You can also follow me on Twitter so you never miss a post. Hope you enjoy reading!
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