How do you manage time from mothering, cleaning, cooking and having free time.

Hi dani, I have found that it is absolutely essential for me to have some free time if I am going to continue to function well in the role of wife and mother. There are several blocks during the day that I make sure I get some time to be me and do the things that I like to do. The first, is I get up at least an hour before the rest of my family. I spend that time checking e-mails and doing the Yoga exercises that help me start the day feeling better about myself and feeling physically better. The seond time of day that I take "me" time is in the afternoon. Even though my girls are now 4 and 6 years old I insist on a nap or "quiet time", depending on how their behavior has been during the morning. Again, I check e-mails, play on the computer, or read during this time. The kids are allowed to read, work on puzzles, or do other activities that are restful to their bodies as well as allowing me free time. During dinner preparation I get in some reading time if I can. While I'm standing in the kitchen waiting for water to boil for pasta or broiling a piece of meat, I grab my book and get a couple of pages read. Lastly, I insist that the children go to bed at least an hour before my husband and I. This is time I get to spend talking to my husband, watching TV, sewing, reading, or whatever I feel in the mood for. I know this sounds like a lot of structure, but I have found that for me it is what works. Again, if I am going to be a good wife and mother I must have that time to be Karen as well. I hope you can use some of these tips!

It is very difficult to manage. Fortunately for me, my first born fell into a routine very soon and was a very easy baby (though taking care of his needs was tiring). But I did get the time to manage the house and have free time for myself (which is very important to me). But with my second child, things were very difficult..what with my responsibilities having increased too. I tried doing it all but it wasn't working. I couldn't function properly if things were not in place. When I was trying to get things in order, the baby would need me and when I was free my older son woul need me. Trying to be super mom was driving me crazy. The only solution was to get some help. We stay far away from family and so they couldn't help. I tried hiring a part-time help but that didn't help (baby had a different schedule everyday). So, now I have help who comes twice a day (in the morning to do the regular household chores while I take care of baby and in the evening to take care of the baby while I spend time with my older son). This works out perfectly for me.

I agree wholeheartedly, it is very difficult to manage all of these things. The key to getting a bit of free time is scheduling it into your day (or week) and taking it regardless of whether the rest of it is done. Honestly, you'll never be productive with the other things if you don't take a bit of time for yourself---recharging is so necessary, but usually the first thing that we moms push aside. Something that works well for me is to make a list of what I want to accomplish and include writing and relaxing time----and don't put it at the bottom of the list!

I dont get as much free time as I would like. I figure I can get that back when the kids get older. I put the kids down early and I get an hour before I go to bed each night to use as I need. It is a great time to recharge and get ready for the next day.

Being a mum, cook, taxi driver, referee etc can be very tiring. My problem is that I also don't have any help. Where many families have grandparents that can look after kids, I unfortunately don't. Up until my 3rd child I too was working full time, not because I wanted to but for financial reasons. Sometimes it can all get on top of you and you feel like getting in your car and driving far far away, but you don't because you have these little eyes and little people watching and needing you. To find peace for a bit I find activities such as playdoh or drawing activities for my kids to do.