5 Easy Ways for Busy Parents to Create More Me-Time

Tired of giving your precious time away to mundane chores, work obligations, and endless family responsibilities? Busy parents share a common goal of finding ways to free up their schedules. Here are five easy ways you can have that now and always!

When I was at home with eight young children, I longed for any tiny moment I could snatch for myself. Grocery shopping all by myself was one way I found respite in my otherwise chaotic schedule each week. Because of my long bout with infertility, once I was finally blessed with a small tribe, I felt guilty for wanting time away from them. But I knew I had to figure out smart ways to balance my time and energy so that I didn't end up burned out and resentful.

1. Rise and shine

I was able to turn my attitude and my schedule around with one simple adjustment—getting up earlier than the rest of my household. It wasn't easy at first, because I was exhausted from being up during the night with an infant (or two), but once this routine became sacred, I suddenly had an extra 15-plus hours a week to call my own.

Once this routine became sacred, I suddenly had an extra 15-plus hours a week to call my own.

Usually, I devote this time to physical exercise. Early morning power walks help keep my mind and body refreshed. I also catch up on my reading and writing. For over 20 years, I've protected this early morning time because it benefited my wellbeing. Now that my kids are older, I still rely on this ritual to focus on my needs, and I highly encourage you to give it a try for yourself.   

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2. Plan your meals

When I was a stay-at-home mom with four kids under the age of three, something had to give! I had to be completely realistic and get creative with ways to sneak more time into my crazy schedule so we would flourish, not flounder. Other than changing diapers for a good part of the day, the other two areas that sucked up most of my time were laundry and cooking. My growing family was always going to need food on the table, so figuring out how to make mealtime easier was a no-brainer.

Figuring out meal...

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