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Finding "Me Time" When You're a Single Mom


It's no secret that moms have the hardest job on the planet.  Caring for the next generation takes every ounce of energy you have, and all that hard work can leave you feeling depleted at the end of the day.
Taking time for yourself is incredibly important.  You can't pour from an empty cup.  But finding time for yourself when you don't have a partner to share the parenting load with can seem nearly impossible.

That's what makes "me time" even more crucial for single moms.  Without allowing any time for self-care, your physical and mental health can both start to suffer.  Declining physical and mental health can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, chronic headaches and other ailments.  Eventually these problems will begin taking away time from what matters most- your children.

Making time for yourself isn't selfish- it's necessary.  If you don't recharge your mind, body, and soul, you'll eventually become so burnt out that you won't have anything left to give to anyone else.  We all know that children need their mama most of all, and they certainly need a mama that's healthy and thriving.

Finding "me time" is possible, even when you're doing this whole parenting thing on your own.  You just have to make it a priority like you do everything else in your life- from grocery shopping to bath time.  Put it on your "to do" list and make it happen!

Don't be afraid to ask for help from your friends and family.  Even hiring a babysitter so you can have some "me time" is more than acceptable.  Whatever you need to do to carve out an hour or two each week for yourself- do it!

Once you have the time set aside for yourself, what will you do with it?  Whatever you do, it should be something that will leave you feeling happy, lighter, and more energized.  Don't use it to work or run errands.  "Me time" needs to be real time that you devote to nourishing parts of yourself that are neglected when you're a busy mom.

There are many ways to spend this valuable time.  If you have a hobby you enjoy doing, this is the perfect opportunity for it.  Spending time with close friends or family who uplift you and add positivity to your life is another great idea.  Choose people who make you feel empowered and strong, because as a single mom, you need all of the encouragement and motivation you can get.

It's also okay to just be still and silent for awhile.  Moms are constantly on the move, tending to the needs of everyone else in the household but their own.  Reading a good book, soaking in a warm tub, or relaxing with a glass of wine are all good ways to recharge yourself.

Giving yourself "me time" isn't taking away from your children, so don't feel guilty about it.  In fact, it's teaching your children the importance of taking time for yourself at any age- a lesson they will carry with them as they get older and face the burdens that adulthood brings.

The best gift you can give your children is a happy, healthy, and loving mother.  When you don't take time for yourself, one or more of those characteristics will be difficult to maintain.  That's why "me time" should always be a priority in your life.  Do it for yourself, and do it for your children.  You deserve it.

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