6 Ways to Find Time for Yourself When You Have Kids

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Parenting is beautiful and amazing, but it’s also demanding. Finding a moment to yourself can seem impossible, especially when your children are full of questions and needs. In this short video, Jenny Phillips shares six ways to find time for yourself, without the use of screen time.

What can busy parents do with 30 minutes of “me time”?

  • Read a wholesome book.
  • Practice a foreign language.
  • Bake or cook a special treat.
  • Study scripture.
  • Explore nature.
  • Exercise in a way you enjoy.
  • Pursue a creative hobby, such as painting or sewing.
  • Listen to music.
  • Treat yourself to relaxing self-care, such as a bath or painting your nails.
Young mother knitting | The Good and the Beautiful Blog

How Can I Find a Break from Parenting?

I remember a day when it seemed like no matter where I went in the house, all the kids ended up in the same room with me before long. I didn't have any toddlers or babies at the time, but it still seemed everywhere I turned, there were kids. Trying to escape for a little quiet time by myself, I slipped unnoticed into my greenhouse. Not even ten minutes passed by until the kids found me one by one, and I was once again surrounded by children. 

But then something happened. I looked around me, and I suddenly felt utterly and completely blessed to have these precious little souls that adored me so much that they just wanted to be with me no matter where I was. 

Six Ways to Find Time for Yourself When You Have Kids

Parenting is beautiful and amazing, but it's a demanding job. We need breaks to refresh and reset. It's also a beautiful thing, along with the sacrifices of parenthood, to continue working on your own talents and self-improvements, even if it is less than other seasons of your life. 

Here are six ways that I have used to find time for myself. 

1. Avoid Unnecessary Screen Time

I think one of the very best ways to find more time is to avoid unneeded time on digital devices. If you are not finding enough time for yourself, evaluate the time you are spending on social media, scrolling, or watching TV. Screen time is actually not that restorative or life-building. 

  • Mother reading | The Good and the Beautiful Blog

  • 2. Beat the Crowd—Wake Up Early

    Try waking up 30 minutes before the rest of the house for quiet time to journal, pray, study, or walk outside. One of the ways that you can motivate yourself to get up earlier is to go to bed earlier. A lot of times, this is easier if you don't spend time on screens after dinner.

3. Use Nap Time as “Me Time”

Use your children's nap time as “me time” instead of time to do house cleaning. With a little creativity, you can get house cleaning done while your kids and babies are awake. Consider using nap time to do something for yourself that you can't do when your baby or toddler is awake. 

  • Mother kissing son on forehead | The Good and the Beautiful Blog

  • 4. Put Your Kids to Bed Earlier

    Put your kids to bed earlier. Consider letting them read or listen to wholesome audiobooks for maybe 30 to 60 minutes before lights out. This not only frees up time for you, but it can give your kids the wonderful blessing of more good literature in their lives.

5. Work on Your Hobbies with Your Kids

To find rest and refreshment and to work on your well-being, your knowledge, and hobbies, you don't have to be alone. It's wonderful to do these things with your kids as well. Go on a walk while pushing the stroller. Garden with your kids. Sit and watch the clouds with your kids. Learn new things together, such as identifying flowers or birds.

  • Father pushing stroller with infant daughter | The Good and the Beautiful Blog
  • Mother and young daughter gardening | The Good and the Beautiful Blog
  • Children and mother laying on grass looking at sky | The Good and the Beautiful Blog
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6. Teach Your Children To Be Creative

One of the most draining things for parents can be that kids have lost creativity or forgotten how to entertain themselves, often because of too much screen time. If you’re in this position, consider doing a screen detox and giving your kids lots of opportunities to play outside and do creative things—even if you have to model creative things and do it with them for a while until their creativity returns. Then you will likely find more time for yourself as your kids are able to self-entertain. 

Encourage Outdoor Play—in All Weather!

If you teach your kids to know how to play creatively outside, find parks or nature areas where you can go and let them play while you read or knit or work on other hobbies. Don't let bad weather stop you as often as it does. In Finland, most kids go outside almost every day in nearly every kind of weather. 

  • Young child under an umbrella, smiling, while it's raining | The Good and the Beautiful Blog
  • Children playing on playground outside on summer day | The Good and the Beautiful Blog

I hope these ideas are helpful and that you find fulfillment in both your time alone and time with your kids.

FAQs About Finding Time for Yourself in Parenthood

Is it okay to take a break from my kids?

Yes! Parenting is beautiful and amazing, but it's a demanding job, and we need short breaks to refresh and reset.

How can I find time for myself?

Here are six ways you as a parent can find more time for yourself:

  1. Avoid unnecessary screen time.
  2. Wake up 30 minutes before the rest of your house to journal, pray, study, or walk outside. 
  3. Use your children’s nap time as “me time.”
  4. Put your kids to bed earlier.
  5. Work on your hobbies and learn with your kids.
  6. Teach your children to be creative and to entertain themselves.

Can I still have hobbies as a parent?

Yes! Parenting is beautiful and amazing, but it's a demanding job, and we need breaks to refresh and reset. It's also a beautiful thing, along with the sacrifices of parenthood, to continue working on your own talents and self-improvements—even if it is less than at other seasons of your life.

If you are having trouble finding time for hobbies and self-improvement as a parent, do these activities with your kids! Go on a walk while pushing the stroller. Garden with your kids. Sit and watch the clouds with your kids. Learn new things together, such as identifying flowers or birds.

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