Taking a Time Out

When you love your children it can be hard to admit that you need a little time to yourself from time to time. There’s no need to feel guilty. We all are human beings before we are parents and it’s important to take a little ‘me’ time every once in a while. Of course, as a mother or father, we put our kids first, which is both normal and natural, but there’s nothing wrong with trying something to treat ourselves every once in a while.

Bingo! Now there’s an idea…

… Literally, bingo. Why not release YOUR inner child with some fun and games? Thankfully, that doesn’t mean watching more cartoons on repeat. That can get insanely repetitive, and you get enough of that all day long! These days, adults have loads of options. Yep, like Bingo!

If you want to sharpen your gaming skills from way back when, bingo is a really fun way to do it. These days you’re given loads of choices so it’s best picking somewhere with a free welcome bonus like with the bingo games on 32red.com, where you get £5 for free and the games are welcoming for beginners. If you’re torn between it and other kind of games, consider this: consoles are great, but they can also open a can of worms when the kids want to play with your new toy, too!

To keep it safely for grown-ups only, you’re best sticking to bingo from the likes of 32red bingo, rocketbingo, cheersbingo or some of the many others you can find on the web so you can log off again when you’re done! You can win some great prizes and you’ll get so into it you’ll feel super relaxed after.

by  aotaro 

Read Something Other Than Baby Books

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that there are books out there with intellectual substance, especially if you’re suddenly used to picture books and ‘interactive’ books, too. Getting lost in a book is a great escape because you can still be physically there for your children, but you can escape to another world when you have a little free time to really stimulate your imagination!

Have Your Friends Over

Sure, you can’t go out so much once you have children, but your social life doesn’t have to suffer! Invite your friends over and actually enjoy a glass or two of wine along with some food which doesn’t have to be cut into tiny little pieces for the other people at the table to consume. If your friends have children, even better! Invite their little ones along for a sleepover with yours and you can enjoy an evening without the guilt of being too far away!

by  borevagen 

Have A Pamper Session

Yes, there’s nothing practical about perfectly manicured nails and blown out hair when you’re running around after little ones, but sometimes it’s true – you have to look your best for you and you alone. Taking time to do all of the things which make you feel confident can do wonders for your self-esteem and mood throughout the day. The postman might even do a double take when you open the door to greet him! It’s not much, but from time to time it’s nice to relax and remind ourselves that under all that ‘parent’ there’s still a person underneath. You can be both, so never forget that!

Take Yourself To Lunch

Clearly, you can’t up and leave when there’s nobody around to take care of the kids. However, if you do get a spare afternoon to yourself, you should absolutely treat yourself! Going to a place where you’ll be surrounded only by other adults can be absolute bliss, and you can really relax knowing that you can eat exactly what you like in complete and utter peace. Select somewhere nice that you wouldn’t be able to eat at with the little ones, and enjoy every. last. bite.

Just Do Literally Nothing

When you’re running around after other people all the time, when you finally get a moment to yourself it’s almost like you’re clueless about putting it into practice. Why are you overthinking?! Give yourself a much needed rest any opportunity you get. Have that lie in you’ve been dreaming about for months. Stop for that coffee you’ve avoided because ‘you didn’t have time’. But most of all? Give yourself a chance to just sleep. If you’ve got nowhere to be, and the kids are safe, sometimes it’s absolutely fine to do nothing at all.

Never feel bad about taking some time for you. Your children still know they’re loved, and this way, you’re at your best as well!

‘Sarah Harrison is a freelance writer and mum of two from Yorkshire, UK. When she’s not following her passion for all things fitness, she enjoys spending her downtime online gaming (when the kids let her!)’