| Let's see. You did the laundry, dropped the | | | | kids. |
| boys off at Karate and the girls at dance | | | | |
| class, stopped at the grocery store for a few | | | | 4. Find another mom who has children that get |
| last minute dinner items...What's missing? As | | | | along well with your kids. Alternate |
| you were taking care of everyone else all day | | | | babysitting services with her, so that you |
| long, did you remember to take care of | | | | each have a few hours of free time every week |
| yourself? I know it can be hard to carve out | | | | to go to the gym or get your hair done. Don't |
| space for you, since being a mom is a full | | | | be tempted to do chores instead. You need |
| time job, but taking care of yourself helps | | | | this time for you and you won't feel very |
| you have the strength and energy to keep | | | | rested and refreshed if you pick up the dry |
| taking care of everyone else, from your | | | | cleaning, do the grocery shopping, and run |
| children to the snake your son left in the | | | | the car through the car wash instead of |
| pocket of his dirty jeans. | | | | relaxing. |
| | | | |
| If trying to squeeze out a few more hours a | | | | 5. Delegate evening chores like setting the |
| day just for you seems impossible, why not | | | | table, washing the dishes, and packing the |
| try one of these ideas: | | | | next day's lunch. If everyone does ten or |
| | | | fifteen minutes of work, you will have enough |
| 1. Don't be afraid to start small. It's | | | | free time to soak in the tub or read a |
| better for you to take five minutes to read | | | | chapter of the newest best seller. |
| the funny pages or your favorite | | | | |
| inspirational poem than it is to not take any | | | | 6. If you cook all of your family's evening |
| time at all for you. | | | | meals and always pack lunch for your |
| | | | children, don't be afraid to give yourself a |
| 2. Get up twenty or thirty minutes earlier | | | | break once a week. Pizza every night may be |
| than usual and spend some time doing | | | | unhealthy, but an occasional slice isn't too |
| something you enjoy, such as reading the | | | | unhealthy for the kids. Eating the occasional |
| paper while you sip your coffee or | | | | school lunch can actually be a fun treat for |
| meditating. By the time the children wake up, | | | | children, even if it doesn't taste that |
| you will be ready to start your busy day. | | | | great. |
| | | | |
| 3. Talk to the other moms at your children's | | | | Finally, make sure your family realizes the |
| classes and find out if any of them live | | | | importance of letting you find some time for |
| nearby. See if several of them are interested | | | | yourself. Speak with your children about |
| in forming a carpool, so you don't have to | | | | respecting your quiet time, whenever and |
| make every trip to drop off and pick up the | | | | however you manage to fit it into your day. |