Sometimes when you’re feeling overwhelmed, you need a place where you can be kid free. Being a stay-at-home mom is great, but from time to time you may feel burnt-out. Staying at home with your children is like a full time job, but one that you can’t quit and with practically no sick days. Just like how companies offer PTO, vacations and other benefits to help their employees deal with burnout, stay-at-home moms need the same. We need MTO (Mom Time Off) which is basically time for ourselves or self-care. All moms benefit from a little MTO but it is especially important for stay-at-home moms because studies show that they experience more depression, anger and sadness, as oppose to moms who work outside the home. 

One would think it's easy for a stay-at-home mom to find time for herself since she’s home most of the time, but it’s actually not. It can be difficult to find time for yourself when there is always something to get done. So how, when, where is MTO possible? Well it is possible! There are many things a mom can do to take time for self-care, for example these next five suggestions. Before I list these, the most important thing for you to do before you start thinking of ways to take MTO is: you need to stop feeling guilty for wanting time for yourself and choosing self-care. Instead, think that you are doing this because you love your family and want to be the best version of yourself for them. As the saying goes, “feel good do good”.  

1. Walk, whether it’s a walk in the park, mall, or even your backyard. Sometimes a breath of fresh air or change of scenery is all we need to comeback feeling refreshed. You can even take time and read a book or magazine at the park.

2.     

3. Brunch, call a friend that you haven’t talked to in a while and catch up over brunch. It’s always great to have conversations with other adults when your mostly home with kids all day.     

3.     

4. Thrifting, go thrifting or garaging. It’s always fun to go shopping plus you won’t feel guilty about spending because you’re sure to save and score deals at the thrift store.     

4.     

5. Spa day, you can go to the salon and get a mani/pedi or you can have your significant other take the kids out or have someone watch the kids while you go relax and have a long bath at home.

5.     

6. Target (with the Starbucks) it may sound silly but if you need a quick break, find someone to stay with the kids at least for an hour. Target without kids is like a mini vacation! Grab some coffee and take your time walking the aisles.     

Of course there are many other things you can do for self-care, or as I like to call it MTO (Mom Time Off), but all that matters is that you do what feels right for you, not worrying and feeling guilty for wanting time for yourself. Remember, everyone needs a break from time to time from their full time jobs and stay-at-home moms are no exception!