Stay at home moms

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me but my 9 month old daughter LOVES Elmo, bert & Ernie, i bought her a DVD - The adventure of Elmo in Grouchland - in the movie they come up to the screen & talk to you. If i ever need a little time to myself, i can lay her down in the afternoon, with her bottle & put this on, she will lay there or sit there & watch - giggle at Elmo & get excited when someone talks to her. I know not everyone like the idea of TV for their kids but it goes for less than an hour & it gives me time to do other things that i want to do!

I try to get chores done during naptime and after bedtime. But I also make it a point to spend 1/2 hour or so doing stupid stuff during that time. Whether it's taking a long shower, taking a nap, watching a little tv or messing around on the net. Sometimes I have to make myself get up, but it's a good way for me to unwind a little.

Let your husband bring them out or have him watch the kids while you get a little peace. But I guess it depends on the ages of your children. I got a toddler and she loves to read so I purchase lots of books on ebay for her. She would at least spend 30 minutes looking at the books each day or more or pretend to read to her dolls. While she is doing this on her room, am in the living room, on my laptop and responding to emails or just putting up my feet and read the newspaper or a book. Or if she will take a nap, that will give me a chance to re-energize because it is not lots of fun to be stay at home Mom and you got lots of things to do around the house. At the end of the day, you are just so tired...so we all need our "me" time.

Set an afternoon nap time schedule between 1:30-3PM daily for your kids. Do whatever you have to do at this time.

Each day my schedule varies a bit according to what my daughter does. Sometimes she has an afternoon nap sometimes she doesnt and most of the times i dont do anything when she's sleeping because i end up napping with her. But i do wish i had more time for myself.

Since my daughter was born 5 months ago, I have made sure I take a shower every single day no matter what. That 10 minutes every day is so important to me. I also have learned to use at least one nap time each day to get online or do whatever I want to do, instead of worrying about cleaning the house constantly.

I find it difficult to carve time out for myself as well. My hubby and I have a standing arraingment, once a week, one of us gets a break. He'll take the kids for 2 hours and I'll go to a book store, or wherever I want and just relax, the next week I'll take the kids and he'll get a break. Its important for us to take time out for ourselves and make it a priority.

I gues I am blessed with a loving husband because my husband makes me get out of the house every weekend (usually) without the kids. I can go to the movies (my favorite, getting a popcorn and soda all to myself) or shopping, whetever I want, he knows I need a break and is willing to give them to me. I think because I complain alot more though because I feel like I am constantly cleaning up after someone, even when I get out by myself I always come home to a messy house and kitchen, but the break is worth it =)

I have a wonderful husband who takes over when he gets home from work....He will take the kids out to play so I can take a shower in peace and quiet and then he will tell me to take an hour or two and go shopping by myself so I can have some me time. All of us need our me time that way we do not go insane.

At least once a month I have a girl's night out. My husband, and my friends' husbands watch the kids for the afternoon or night and we go out. We usually go shopping and out to eat, but sometimes we just go to someone's house and sit around talking. Whatever it is, it is a nice break and something to look forward to all month.