Working Moms - What Are Some of the Ways You Unwind

I have always been a full time working M.. I read for a little while at night after my daughter goes to bed. I also try to go to the gym or exercise in my living room right after work at least 3 times a week.

unwind?

When the rare opportunity presents itself, it's catching-up on DVR.

My job can keep me busy 24/7 if I let it, and I'm admitted work-a-holic. Work's been an important part of my life. When my kids are awake, they're #1, but I do little in terms of me time.

My husband's great about offering me time. I enjoyed training for a 1/2 marathon over the winter, but it took time away from my kids most days I did the training. Now, I get my workout by mowing the yard.

I try to find ways to meet up with other working Moms. You need sometime for yourself - what do you enjoy doing? If it's cooking maybe join a cooking club etc...

I totally relate - I would love to keep in touch.

Send me a message if you'd like.

Regards,

A.

I have a few things.

Sit on my porch swing and just kick back. (and yes... GASP! I'm a smoker, so I will have a smoke while on the porch. hubby and i don't smoke in the house)
Lay in bed and watch a little TV.
Hang out with my husband (who I also work with) in the garage and just talk.
And the strange one is scratch off a lottery ticket. The one I like (because it actually takes time) is called Triple Red Hot Cashword.

This is all after both kids go to bed. We have a pretty strict routine in our house. Dinner (usually around 7), baths for kids, and then to bed. They're usually in bed by 8:30. Our son is usually in bed by 8. He's 2yrs old. Our daughter is 7yrs old. I usually try to get to bed myself no later than 10:30, but sometimes it's closer to 11 if hubby and I are feeling randy.

I usually come home, and take our little one outside to play for a little while, or to the park -- it's much easier on me to do that than be in the house with him after a day at work, for whatever reason. DH goes to work after I get home, so it's just me & LO in the evenings.

I really only get a little time to relax in the evenings after LO is asleep, and I'll usually read (I'm a lifelong reader) or watch a little TV. Sometimes, this also includes some ice cream or chocolate. :)

Sometimes, it actually helps me unwind if I spend 15-20 cleaning (do a load of dishes, fold some laundry, quick clean of the bathroom). I call it "pushing back against the chaos" -- it's not relaxing exactly but mentally makes me feel better.

Edited to add: We don't get much downtime from our little one, because of our work schedules & because our budget doesn't allow for much babysitting expenses... so all of my downtime is usually at home, which is a little frustrating for me.

When I get home, I set the kids into an activity that takes their attention for at least 5-10 min. with out too much of a mess, and I unpack my work bags, and talk on the phone with friends. This allows me to be able to watch them with out the M. I want, M. I need, and they are safe and I am still watching them. I get to have adult conversation. Then once they are in bed I go outside on the padio and drink my water (or wine mattering on the day) and talk with my neighbor.

When I get home from work all I want to do is be outside since I in an office all day. At least 3 x's a week a couple of the neighbors and I go for a walk. It clears my mind, I get fresh air and I get to girl talk/laugh for about 45 minutes! When my husband is at work late, after the kids go to bed, I like to have a glass of wine and either read a book, magazine or watch a show on t.v. Most of my unwinding is really done after the kids go to bed though. That's when the house is quiet and peaceful =-)

barnes and nobles!! or any other bookstore similar! it stays open later so u can go after work or on the weekends. if you can arrange for someone to watch the little ones u can get a coffee or tea and read magazines or books in a comfy couch and escape for a while. i always feel refreshed after leaving

I love my drive!! It's short, but enough time for me to put the windows down, crank the music, and sing to my heart's content!! And when I get home, I watch a little bit of news, and then play with the kids. That is how I chill. I enjoy to cook...so that works for me too. And the kids like to help, so that is a bonus. But if I want some kid free time, I try to go to Happy Hour - I don't dirnk...but it's always a good time with friends. However I have only just started that and have been a total of TWO TIMES!! haha...that is since January! If the weather is nice, sitting outside with the kids is awesome...they run off energy and I get to chill. Or like someone else said, just laying down in bed for a few minutes to get a short, short rest - 10 minutes is enough to get up and get going again!

I watch a lot of tv. I've always been a tv addict, but now I dvr a few shows and watch when the kiddo goes to bed, or takes a nap on the weekend. I especially love shows like Psych, that are consistantly good. (Out of all 4 seasons, I cant think of one episode I didnt like and wouldnt watch again!)

I also do cross stitch, which keeps my hands busy while I watch tv. :-)

And I read alot. I've always got one or three books going, but I'm a fast reader. And I get books on tape to listen to in the car to kind of unwind on the 30 minute drive home.

If I'm really stressed, I make the hubby take care of the nighttime routine and run a bubble bath and take in one of the books Im reading.

I don't. There is simply not enough time in the day...

Right now I do try to take my daughter to the playground or the park after work, but it's not truly unwinding... since she's pretty active and I am playing with her.

The other day I got some alone time when hubby put our duaghter to bed (the exeption) and I ironed his shirts... but I guess that's not IT either, right?

Maybe if the day had more hours, I would get some time to unwind...

I work PT outside the home, does that count? LOL
For me just getting some time out of the house BY MYSELF is what I really enjoy, whether it's shopping (not grocery shopping--hate that!--doesn't count!), getting a cup of tea and a bagel and reading a book for an hour or taking a brisk walk or getting my hair cut or a pedicure.

It varies on how stressed I am. My favorite thing is to paint my nails. I do it every other day. I just throw on my iPod and zone out after DS goes to bed.

If it's been a bad day and DS has been a tempermental nightmare that day (he's 2), then I'll take a hot bath, or go shopping for an hour. Sometimes, bit of retail therapy, even if I don't buy anything, clears my mind beautifully.

I also DVR a few different shows, so I'll catch up on those once he's in bed.

I've found the best way to unwind is to get out of the house alone. Because whenever I'm in the house, even if baby is asleep and I'm watching TV, I can't stop thinking about the laundry, the dishes, the crayons all over the place... It doesn't happen too often, but this weekend I went to Target by myself (to get new underwear. Wooo! Big spender!) But just the act of walking around and browsing with no to-do list (or demanding toddler) was refreshing. Not only that, but it gave me a chance to reset mentally and think about myself instead of my family. Before baby, I was super active and always trying crafty new things. Now I definitely neglect that side, and when I can reconnect with her, I notice a decidedly positive attitude shift all around.

Work is a good mental exercise, but that also comes with expectations and deadlines. It's nice to just take an hour and be expectation-free! (I would think even just going to a coffee shop or park and reading a magazine would do the trick as well). :)

Getting a manicure, pedicure, facial, hair done, massage are all the ways I unwind and pamper myself. I prefer to do these things during the week. I might do these on my lunch hour. I take my lunch hour + my 'paid' breaks all at once, therefore extending my lunch time to almost 2 hours or I might skip lunch and my 'breaks' during the day and leave early from work and do one of these before going home.

It really depends upon the ages of your children. Mine are now 13, 12 & 10 so it becomes easier. I became a single working M. over 7 years ago but now I try to chill on my drive home. I take back routes and live in the country side anyway. I blast "MY" music and sing as much as I want. I sneak a chocolate bar all to my self on occasion - and no I don't feel guilty. If that cannot be done, my bedroom is my sancuary, I lock myself in there and do what ever, nap, watch TV, play on the computer, cry, write, what ever is needed until I am human again. I simply tell my children "OK you know what you have to do, I have a headache etc, for the next 30 I need quite time, please don't disturb me unless you are bleeding, got it?" They understand and for the most part they let me be. Not all the time, but most of the time. As long as they know what I expect from them and they are occupied they are good.
Not sure if this can help for your situation but it works for me.
M. F

I have an energetic and often times, tempermental, 16 month old. My husband and I really try to work together on how we strategize our alone time. My husband and I alternate putting my son down at night. So, about 3-4 times a week, I have the opportunity to have 30-45 minutes to myself...I usually take an extra long hot shower, read a senseless magazine, exfoliate my skin, or pay extra attention to my hair, all while in the bathroom! It truly helps!!!
Being a first time M., itt took me awhile to creatively figure this out but it works! The stress of work and maintaining a family can be too much at times! You'd be surprised how much of a difference 30-45 minutes/3-4x's a week can do!! Good luck!

I run. Usually at nap time, or after daddy gets home. I work part time (25 hours a week) but always make sure to fit the running in...it is good for my sanity!!! :)

my best me time is to pop into starbucks for a cup of coffee and read. even if its 15 mins.....oh yeah and leave the blackberry in the car!

I was a single M. for years and had no choice but to work every hour I could get. But to unwind I would come home and play with the girls awhile, feed them supper and put them to bed. Then it was time for a book, bubble bath and music. After that I would chat with friends on the pc or watch a good movie. But most of the time I would end up going to bed after the bubble bath. Now to unwind when I get home I shower or swim and then hubby massages my feet for me. That is very relaxing. We watch our soap opera together while he does the massage. Sometimes just putting the car windows down and listening to the radio on the way home is a good way to unwind. Stop and sneak a treat. That also will help you unwind.

I have always worked full time outside the home and currently own an insurance agency. I am lucky that I have an active husband who does everything with the house work, yard work, kids, etc. So we manage to keep up with everything during the week (the house is definately not spotless but I would not be embarrassed if someone dropped by) so we can have the weekends free with the kids. All of our kids are in their own rooms at 8pm. They can either go to sleep, or keep themselves busy until they go to sleep. They are very good about this (they are 14, 10, 7). After 8pm is when hubby and I catch up on our favorite shows, I read or I just started making some easy beaded jewlery. So that is our down time together which is usually 2 hours or more.

I'm a single working M. with no local family so I don't get any "me" time really. I just try and enjoy the things we do after work and on the weekend like taking the dog for walks, going to parks with playgrounds and meeting other parents there, being part of a M.'s "meet-up" group where we visit local events and get togethers, working in the yard and watching tv, but my little one is always right there next to me or in the next room.

I read a good book on my lunch hour and that is a real escape. Also, I exercise and do cardio classes 2x a week after work. It's great for stress and it's fun to see my workout friends. They always have a smile for me.