Put yourself on the schedule. The calendar is full of your kids’ To Dos: games, parties, school projects, doctor’s appointments -  but nothing for mom.  Make an effort to set aside a block of time that is just for you.

Let someone else do it for you. Are there things during your week you can hand off to someone else?  If a friend offers to take one of your kids over for an unexpected lunch or play date, say yes!  Free yourself for a couple of hours.

Take the kids to a place you enjoy. Is there a favorite place you love to go, a quiet park, a beach, even a library that you don’t get to often that the kid’s have never been to?  You’ll and enjoy and your kid’s will be excited about a new place.

Instead of “go, go, go,” try “stop, stop, stop”! It doesn’t do you or your kids any good to be on the go all the time.  You become tired, irritable, which in turns makes your kids the same way.  No fun.  It’s okay to stay at home and suggest the kids play together on their own.

Where can you make up minutes? Have you taken a look at where all of your time goes?  Are there things you wish you had more time to do like read or walk?  Find take away minutes on your calendar and put them to things you enjoy and miss that you think you don’t have time for.

Don’t wait for special occasions to treat yourself. Yes you deserve a spa treatment any day of the week.  Yes you deserve a manicure and pedicure whenever you want.  Yes you deserve that shirt you have been staring at in the window but avoided because you feel too guilty buying it and would rather put that money towards you kids.  Moms deserve treats too!

Indulge a step further. If you are home alone getting stuff done while the kids are out, turn on some relaxing music, read a book, light a candle or take a bath.

Take a moment to recharge and consider the timeouts that work best for you!