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Guest Post.
“Mummy Time” – these two words might seem very strange together. Usually, if these words are used together there will be an extra word at the start, that word being “NO’’, No Mummy time. The life you once had, the time you had to read that book or sit in the sun, the sleep-ins, the one load of washing a week! This little human comes into your life and your life will never be the same again. You love this little person; they bring you joy and happiness every day. Their smiles light up your heart and there is nothing as good as their hugs. You will do anything for your children, but when does this anything for them turn into everything? And is that really healthy for you and for them?
If you like this post then check out: 41 Me Time Ideas For Mum’s That Need A Break.
Over the years working as a Psychologist, I have been shocked by the number of mums I see who can’t answer one simple question, “what do you do for yourself’?’’. These mums can talk for hours about their children’s routines and all the activities that their children do but for themselves, there is nothing, zip, nada. Beautiful mothers, intelligent women forgetting about one very important thing; themselves.
Mummy Time is not a luxury it is a necessity.
If we do not look after ourselves, we will burn out, if we burn out then we will not be able to be the best parent for our children. Too many mother’s talk about feeling guilty if they leave their children to spend time doing something for themselves, they find it hard to relax without their children around them. This thinking needs to change, all mother’s including you, need to know that to be the best person and the best mother you can be, you need time to yourself, time to release the stressors of the day, time to just be you.
Taking this time enables your body to release stress and when you release the stress you can then function at your highest level. Your children will be ok having time away from you, it will actually help them in their childhood development and will enable them to create resilience.
Mummy time can occur in many ways, it can be as simple as going for a ten-minute walk or sitting outside on the grass reading a book while your baby naps. It can be joining a gym and using the childcare facilities, it can be catching up with a girlfriend for a walk or a coffee. It just needs to be a time where you can take a breath, step out of the world of being a mum and be yourself again for a moment. For the mums who have family lining up to babysit, use them, go out for dinner, see a movie. For those who don’t, find one, yes it might add an expense to your night out but trust me, it will still be a cheaper option than needing to see a Psychologist later on when you have burnt out.
So please if you are reading this, don’t just dismiss it, don’t put it off, grab your schedule and write in your calendar what you are going to add into your life this week and every week for mummy time and start it today. You will be healthy and happier, and this will flow into your parenting making you the best mummy you can possibly be.
About the Author
Donna has been working as a qualified Psychologist for over 15 years. She works with children, adolescents, adults and couples. Donna is based on the Gold Coast in a Private Practice called “The Couch Therapy Group“. She has written a self-help book called “Managing Your Stress Cup” and has a podcast “On the Couch with Donna Cameron”. Donna is passionate about helping people and presents them with practical strategies that they can understand. Donna wants to take the fear out of mental health and feels that when her clients understand the language of their emotions they can then make positive changes in their lives and for their mental health.
