And now for something completely different …

Are you busy? I know I am – being a working mum means very little time to myself, especially now in school holidays. However, it’s the me time that keeps you going when your three year old draws on the wall with crayon (note to self: keep crayons on the top shelf!) or when you have a tough client or just a plain old bad day.

Here are a few tips I have to make sure you get some ‘me time’, what do you do?

#1  Add it to your schedule.  That sounds like a given, right?  Yet many people skip this step.  They schedule doctor’s appointments and children’s playdates but not time for themselves.

#2  Make it routine.  When something becomes a habit, part of our normal routine and lifestyle, we’re more likely to do it and more likely to miss it if you skip it.  Creating regular me time whether it is daily or weekly is a great way to make and keep a commitment to take care of yourself.

#3  Partner up.  If you know other work at home mums, then they too are probably looking for a little me time.  Consider partnering with them for childcare.  You can swap and watch each other’s children, without the huge costs of childcare.

#4  Ask your family for help.  Often partners just don’t notice how frazzled you are unless you tell them.  However it pays to create a plan in advance.  Create a plan of action and present it to your family asking for their support.

#5  Learn to say no to others and yes to yourself. There’s always something else that needs to be done.  Always.  Learn to say no and to prioritise your tasks, keeping in mind that you are always top priority.

How do you take some time for yourself? I’d love to hear your advice .