Enjoy Privacy With a Child in the House 

 

Staying at home with the kids can leave you craving silence. Some days are better than others, of course, and you love your children dearly. But everyone needs a little “me-time” every now and then. 

That said, you’ll need to get creative if the current pandemic has you sharing close quarters with a full house. Use these five ideas to recharge yourself and be the best mom you can be. 

1. Make a Schedule 

You might have experienced many changes to your schedule recently. You’re hopefully starting to settle into a routine, but if not, get out your planner and make a daily schedule for your family. 

This process doesn’t only help you to reduce the need for determination and willpower to get you through the day. It also provides a soothing structure for your children, who may also feel adrift. 

When you make the family schedule, include hours for togetherness and time to spend apart. For example, your kids might attend homeschool classes while you work for two hours each morning. Let them know that when you shut your office door, it’s as if you left for work. Write down nap times and bedtimes, too. 

2. Encourage Self-Soothing Behaviors 

What do you do when life gets hectic? Maybe you lose yourself in a novel or a project. Maybe you sketch or knit. Whatever you do to calm yourself down can also work for a child. 

For example, maybe you practice mindfulness when you need to slow down your racing thoughts. Why not introduce your children to this technique? You can explain terms in age-appropriate ways. Instead of using the phrase “ujjayi breathing,”tell them to pretend they’re Darth Vader. There’s nothing wrong with sitting down at the table and coloring, either. 

Once you instill these self-soothing techniques in your kids, you can request quiet time by saying so. Invent a phrase that signals, “It’s time to go to our rooms and work on independent activities now.” 

For younger kids, you might replace the term “nap time” with “quiet time.” You’ll also encounter less resistance when you put them down if they know they can draw or play with a toy in bed if they don’t feel sleepy. 

 

3. Enlist Your Partner 

Hopefully, your partner is well and healthy and able to help. When you design the family schedule, assign times when each one of you takes primary responsibility for minding the children. This arrangement can also assist you if you both work from home, too. 

Perhaps you work best in the morning, while your significant other hits their peak in the afternoon. Try to take advantage of your mutual body clocks. That way, you know when you need to be on for your shift and when you can relax. Your spouse also knows when you need to wear your focus glasses, and will interrupt your productivity less often. 

 

4. Explain Your Needs to Your Kids 

Although they may lack the words to express themselves, kids need alone time, too. Pick a time when you feel calm and rational to explain your needs to your children in an age-appropriate way. 

You might say, “I know that I’m around a lot more, and I adore spending time with you. Sometimes I need to have a few minutes to myself to relax. This privacy lets me return and be the best mommy I can be for you.” 

5. Use Electronic Aids Within Reason 

An occasional indulgence in video games can be a healthy outlet during uncertain times — and get you some R&R. You can also get your children engrossed in a video so you can find some extratime for yourself. 

Don’t overlook online activities meant for kids. You can connect them with virtual events like singing with Disney or building with Lego Land. These outlets engage young minds, and while you may not have total quiet, your little angels will stop interrupting you for a bit. 

Find Some Much Needed Me-Time 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom or suddenly find yourself with a full house due to the pandemic. Capture some precious moments of solitude so that you can return refreshed for your next shift as super-mom. 

About The Author

Dylan Bartlett writes about a variety of topics on his site, Just a Regular Guide. Check it out for more info on home improvement, DIY projects and remodeling apps. Follow him on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates!