A recent survey from the Office of National Statistics revealed that women take less leisure time than men – no surprise there really! The survey says that men spend an average of 43 hours per week on leisure activities compared to just 38 hours a week for women.
If you ask me, that sounds like a lot of time to yourselves – I’d love to know what time an average mum spends on leisure activities every week!
When you spend so much time with the kids it can be hard to be anything other than “mum” – or “muuuuuuuuum” if we want to be more realistic about it. Even when you work, you end up rushing straight home to your role as mum doing the school pick up, dinner, homework, bathtime and housework.
There’s obviously nothing wrong with being ‘mum’ but I think if you don’t have time to yourself doing things you love then you’ll go a little bit crazy. I think you can also start to resent your husband and kids a bit if you’re always in mum mode without a break. It’s important to have your own identity, friends and interests.
Here are my tips on how to be more than just a mum…
Take up a hobby
Do something you love. Whether it’s taking up a sport, attending an evening class, doing a course online or learning a craft. Having something that you enjoy doing can help you unwind and have some time to yourself. I’d highly recommend a hobby that takes you out of the house for a few hours!
Socialise
Go for a drink with some school mums or work colleagues. Getting dressed up and out of your mum uniform of joggers or yoga pants will make you feel like you again. A glass of wine and a giggle with some fellow mums will also help you realise you’re not the only one who needs to escape from their family now and then.
Go Shopping
If you feel like you have lost your pre-kids identity then some new clothes can make you feel like a new woman! Don’t feel guilty for spending money on yourself, you deserve it. Plus a few hours shopping on your own will help clear your head.
Have some ‘Me time’
Whatever you choose to do with your free time, make sure you have plenty of time during the week to yourself. Even if you just lock the bathroom door and soak in the bath it’s important to make time for you. Your other half is more than capable dealing with bedtime by themselves now and then.
Working
If you don’t work I definitely recommend it. Yes getting up for work and going to an office or shop is a bit rubbish sometimes and yes you do occasionally miss school or nursery events. But working lets you be someone other than mum, meet people who don’t want to talk about kids all the time and lets you use your brain again. Even a few hours a week helps and obviously so does the money!
Are you in need of taking more time for yourself? What do you do for a bit of “me time”?
The Rhyming Mum
My husband’s shifts change like the weather so I can’t always make plans when I want to which often gets me down. But, going to work is my chance to enjoy hot cups of tea and adult conversation without the toddler! #sharingthebloglove