You’ve been a happy, healthy mommy for a few weeks, maybe even a few months now. You love all of the special moments you’ve had with your child, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for your family. But the last time you got to the gym, did your skin care routine, or spent time with friends was… pre-baby.
You only wish you had a little more time to do the things you used to do to make yourself feel healthy and regulated. This is very normal for new mothers, and very easy to rectify!
The new pressures and challenges of being a mother can be overwhelming, and can make it hard to find time to take care of yourself the way you did prior to the new baby. Finding this balance can take time, but here are some easy ways for you to get in some much-needed “me time” right now!
1. Try Out a Babysitter
Many new parents who can afford a regular babysitter or nanny hesitate to do so. This is a result of the antiquated belief that your child needs you all the time. While spending time with your baby is undeniably important, spending a little time with yourself to recharge is also incredibly important to not overlook!
Many new mothers also fear leaving their child alone with a babysitter. They fear something might go wrong and that they wouldn’t be there to help.
A popular new alternative to babysitters is hiring a “mommy’s helper.” This essentially means hiring a babysitter to be at home with the baby and the parent. This means you can still be in the home with your baby, but your child is being watched over by a babysitter.
Hiring a “mommy’s helper” frees you up so you can do chores, take a shower, watch television, read a book, or do a number of other activities you probably haven’t been able to do for quite a while.
2. Let Toys Entertain
A simple solution that is often overlooked, especially when it comes to first-time parents, is the use of toys. Many mothers wake up in the morning with limited time to get dressed and ready before they must run in and begin caring for their baby. Goodbye makeup, hairstyle, or outfit selection! Welcome back same-t-shirt-from-yesterday!
In this situation, it can be great to make use of toys like the baby jumper. This device is a little seat (almost like a swing or high chair in design) surrounded by buttons and pop-up toys that make sounds and light up.
This toy allows the child to sit safely while being entertained, giving you a little extra time to make a pot of coffee, put on a fresh shirt, and even wash your hair!
The baby jumper is especially helpful in terms of baby teething. You can purchase models specifically designed to help your baby teeth and keep them preoccupied while you get some things done.
3. Reevaluate What “Me Time” Is For You
Prior to the baby, you may have felt relaxed and refreshed after a nice workout or a night out with friends. But now, these activities might make you feel even more burnt out. It’s important to, early on in parenthood, find out what activities really make you feel fresh and ready for a new day.
Things as simple as treating yourself to an elaborate home cooked meal, the kind you no longer have time to make, or maybe spending some time stretching and listening to music or going to an exercise class, can be great examples of “me time.” Maybe grabbing coffee with a friend makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
You Will Make Mistakes, And That’s Okay!
Reevaluating what makes you feel good is an important step in learning to balance your child’s life along with yours. Being a new parent is exhausting, and feeling burnt out is completely normal!
Whatever you do to help yourself feel a little more alive and ready to take on these challenges is a wonderful way to make your life a little more balanced, and to prepare you better for the future challenges of parenthood!
