Skip to Content

How to Spend Your Time Off as a Working Mum

Share this post with your friends!

Balancing family, a career, relationships, and self-care is a struggle that working mums know all too well. There’s only so much time in the day to fit it all in and, let’s be real, it can be tempting to just drown it all out. 

That said, when you do get a break, it’s important to take full advantage of it. Taking time off is not just about taking a much-needed breather; it can also be an opportunity to learn more about yourself and how to manage your situation.

Here are some ideas that might help you make the most out of your well-deserved downtime.

1) Teach the Kids to Perform Chores

Chores are a great way to let children understand the importance of responsibility and self-sufficiency.

By teaching your kids some chores around the house, they’ll slowly be able to do more of the work on their own and give you even more personal space to relax.

That said, some chores are better suited for different age groups. Here’s an age chart to help you know what types of chores are appropriate for your kid’s age:

  • Ages 2-3: Pick up toys, make the bed, wipe spillages, and put laundry in the hamper.
  • Ages 4-5: Put away laundry, get the newspaper, match socks and fold, clear and set the table
  • Ages 6-8: Clean bathroom sinks, water the flowers, collect trash from bins, sort laundry by colour, and empty the dishwasher.
  • Ages 9 and up: Mop floors, mow the lawn, walk the dogs, clean toilets, and take out the trash.

When you set your children up to help you with tasks around the house, more free time for you will naturally follow.

2) Turn Off Technology

It’s not uncommon for mums to open up their favourite social media app and scroll for who-knows-how-long, only to realize they’ve lost many minutes of their precious time.

Instead of repeating this vicious cycle when your next break comes around, make a conscious decision to step away from technology. Find activities that will help you disconnect and spend time with yourself or with family and friends.

There are many ways to do this. For example, you can go for a walk around the neighbourhood, read a book that’s been on your backlog, call up a distant relative, or meditate for a few minutes.

It’s easy to feel out of sorts at the start of this technology fast, but if you want to feel content with your break, turning off these devices is key.

3) Learn a New Skill

Now that you’re spending less time on social media, take that time and invest it in picking up a new skill.

Everyone wants to have something they’re good at. And if you’re already great at something, what’s stopping you from accumulating even more skills?

If you want to learn how to bake sourdough bread or knit a sweater, for example, you can use your freed-up time to go for it. If you’d rather take up a language class or learn some coding, there are many avenues for you to do it too, such as YouTube videos or online courses.

Whether you’re learning a skill for personal satisfaction or a potential career path, adding a new skill to your repertoire will always be personally rewarding, no matter what age!

4) Sleep

There’s no shame in taking it slow and simply getting some shut-eye during your break.

Sleep can do wonders for your mood and productivity, helping you recover from the rigorous demands of motherhood. Even if it’s just a quick 20-minute power nap, you can reap many benefits like improved concentration, better metabolism, and increased alertness.

That said, having at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is key to a healthy lifestyle. So, if you find yourself often feeling tired and stressed during the day, arranging your schedule to ensure that you get enough quality sleep each night can be the best decision you could make to take care of yourself. For more sleep related information click here to learn more.

5) Host A Get-Together

If your time off is set to last for several days, you can use the opportunity to host a small get-together with your closest friends and family members.

Organising a gathering can be a great way to catch up with your loved ones, enjoy good food, and share fun stories.

While enjoying a party at an established function hall is never a bad option, you can also bring the party at home with catering services like Gathar – whether you are in the Mornington Peninsula or anywhere else.

That said, hosting an event doesn’t have to be as intricate as it seems. Inviting your favourite people, cooking up some dishes, and playing some good tunes are all you need to create a memorable gathering.

6) Get Your Health In Order

Another good use of your time off is to set up a doctor’s appointment. As a working mum, it’s so easy to let our health fall by the wayside.

But if you want to stay in great shape, you must take the time to schedule regular check-ups with your GP and perform heart-healthy activities. Doing so allows you to keep track of any health concerns like blood pressure, hormone levels, and mental well-being.

Furthermore, you can also use your spare time to do activities that would benefit your health. For instance, you could take up yoga classes, take HIIT classes, or go for a run with a running group. Just be sure to listen to your body and not overdo it.

Share this post with your friends!