Working Mother Takes a Day Off
Ideas for Moms to Have Fun Without the Kids
The daily stress of taking care of your children, your home, your job, and yes, your husband can leave your feeling run down. Taking a day off can help you rejuvenate.
Time is a rare commodity for working mothers. From the moment they wake each morning, their days are filled with caring for others, doing their job, taking care of household chores. Finding even a few minutes for themselves each day can be tough. But sometimes, a break is needed, even if for a short time.
There are a number of ways you can take a “6 hour vacation,” getting away from everyone and everything and re-energizing yourself. If you aren’t able to take time away from work, try to take one Saturday every few months to do something that you enjoy and will relax you. Ask your husband to take charge of the children for one day, or if you prefer taking your “vacation” with your husband, use a babysitter or relative to take the children. These suggestions range from the very inexpensive to expensive. Use suggestions to fit your time and budget.
Visit a Museum
Museums can offer a place to get lost in your own thoughts and interests. Take the time to wander around, looking at the exhibits without worrying about what little fingers might be touching. Enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Read a Book
You can get one from the library to save even more money. On nice summer days, find a chaise beach chair and set it up somewhere you can be alone. That might be at a local park, a river or beach. Somewhere close enough to home that you are not wasting your day off driving, but far enough away that you feel as if you are on vacation. Bring a packed lunch, some snacks and drinks with you.
Rejuvenate at a Spa
Make an appointment for the works at a day spa. You can enjoy massages, facials and body wraps. In most day spas, cell phones are not allowed to give you a calm and relaxing visit.
Go Sightseeing
Be a tourist for the day. Take the camera and visit local tourist sites such as beaches, historic sites or parks.
Get Together with Some Friends
Have some friends join you for a one-day shopping day. You don’t even need to spend money, travel around visiting antique stores or a mall that you just never get to. Have a leisurely lunch with friends and splurge on yourself, eating something you would not normally order.
Develop a Hobby
Do you like scrap booking? Have an all-afternoon scrap booking party, asking friends to bring supplies and ideas to share. Each person can bring a food dish to make it into a potluck luncheon.
Take a Class
Look into one-day seminars at local colleges or continuing education courses. Find something you have always wanted to explore but just haven’t had the time. Maybe you would like to learn photography or investments. Learning something new, no matter what it may be, is often invigorating and helps to add interest to your life
No matter what you may choose to do, just taking some time away from your family for a few hours can rejuvenate you. There are probably plenty of ideas that you can add to the above list. Keep track of your ideas and a few times each year, especially when you begin to feel stressed from the many responsibilities of being a working mother, take a few hours to go on “vacation.” According to "Time Out for Mom" from Health Corner, "Taking time to take care of yourself means you'll be more productive at work and at home."
You may also be interested in:
Strategies for Work Life Balance
Working Mom's Need Not Feel Guilty
Ten Minute Stress Relievers for Busy Moms
