Parenting was never meant to be a one person job but for the many single parents of today, that is reality. Whether it be by choice or by circumstance, parenting alone is exhausting, stressful, and can actually pose great risks to the well-being of mother and child. All parents need breaks, and if you are a single work-at-home mom this may be next to impossible unless you have somebody actually come to give you a break. I am a single work-at-home mom and I am happy to say there are many ways to squeeze in those breaks during the day — even with your child right there.
Take your child outside to play
Not just once, but twice every day. True, dressing your child for the elements may require a lot of effort but it is well worth it. The fresh air, exercise, and change of scenery will give you both a break and enough of a boost to keep you going for the rest of the day. Getting outside will also break up your day making it go by quicker. Whether you go to a playgroup or a park in the morning, and then into the yard or for a neighborhood walk in the afternoon, just get outside. It is so important for both of you — physically and emotionally.
Don’t clean
Once in a while, just walk away from the never-ending kitchen mess or the 500 other tasks on your to-do list and sit on the floor with your child. Bring out a puzzle, a couple of picture books, or crayons. Set no expectations; just be. Your child will enjoy it, you will enjoy it, and your mind will have a chance to slow down before you continue on with the rest of the day.
Enjoy a hobby
We all have something that we wish we could do but don’t have the time for. Guess what, you do have time — everyday. The only problem is, the equipment you need to enjoy that hobby is probably in a storage closet waiting for the day when you finally have the time to take it out and enjoy it. Well, whether you are a painter, crafter, or a musician, I want you to go retrieve whatever it is you need to persue that interest and set it up in your living room. Go on, I’ll wait here… Now that you have your guitar, sewing machine, paint easel, or other hobby equipment set up and in plain view, you can sit down and get lost in it whenever you feel the urge. If you still can’t find the time to enjoy your favorite activity, try sitting down with it for 15 minutes immediately after your baby has gone to nap. 15 minutes. You can do it. You can even set a timer if you are worried about getting away from what needs to be done. Keep in mind that you don’t need to be on a stage to enjoy your passion. If you want to be a singer then sing, if you love to dance then dance. Have fun.
Bring a book to bathtime
Wash your child’s hair, scrub him/her all over with soap, sing a song or two and then sit back and read. Your child will have fun playing around in the tub while you get lost in a book or magazine. Of course you want to keep an eye on your child and, being women, we can multitask like that. You may find that your child immediately starts trying to climb out of the tub. Don’t be discouraged. Just close up your book, tell yourself, “oh well, next time” and then go back to your mom duties.
When you finally do get a break
Do whatever tasks you need to do, do them quickly, and then get out of there! Free yourself from the constant nagging of never-ending chores by heading to the library, coffee shop, for a walk — anywhere but your house. An extra tip is to pack a bag ahead of time (as you would a diaper bag) with a book, writing pad, laptop or whatever else you need. Grab it as you head out the door.
After baby goes to bed
Pour a cup of tea, throw on the kettle, do a quick power clean while your tea is steeping and then sit down, kick back and relax for ten minutes. What’s nice about this is that the simple act of drinking tea forces you to sit down — something a lot of single moms have a hard time doing. So, sit down, take a sip, think about nothing… And then back to work you go!
As a single work-at-home parent you do not have the opportunity to take breaks. I hope these tips will help you, and any single parent, to enjoy a little downtime even while your little one is right there with you. Try these and you’ll see that it is possible to squeeze in regular breaks during the day. The key really is simple; a few times per day, take your mind off of parenting duties and focus on the things that bring you pleasure — the outdoors, a hobby, a good book, your child, and most importantly, you. I hope you try these tricks during your day and please share any tips you may have for!
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