Updated: June 13, 2023
As a parent, I constantly seek moments of solitude amid the chaos. Whether it’s volunteering for an extra chore or cleverly negotiating my way into a few minutes of peace, I’ve mastered the art of finding time away from my responsibilities. Here are some creative strategies I’ve employed to reclaim a little space for myself:
- Request an extended hospital stay post-delivery, because home will never be this serene again.
- Politely ask to remain in the jury pool after being released—just a heads up, “trading” spots with someone else isn’t permitted.
- Schedule a dental cleaning I don’t need just to enjoy half an hour of stillness.
- Book a cleaning appointment for my kids, allowing them to be momentarily occupied while I relish some quiet time.
- Volunteer for a phone survey, claiming it’s for “research,” thus giving myself a break from the noise.
- Head to the store for detergent, knowing that no one at home will even realize we’re low.
- “Forget” to pick up the cat from the vet until it’s time for the kids’ bath.
- Attend a neighborhood association meeting—it’s a great opportunity for a nap in disguise.
- Go to confession and then make a pit stop at Taco Bell for some crunchy tacos in the car.
- Schedule parent-teacher meetings just for the chance to sit in peace with another adult who isn’t touching me.
- Engage in small talk with a door-to-door salesperson until they close my door on me.
- Pretend to be asleep in the morning until my partner gets up to handle the baby; those ten minutes in bed are precious.
- Set appointments with my accountant for tax prep—once in August and again in March. Twice the time out!
- Enroll my kids in gymnastics that don’t require parents, giving me a break on the sidelines.
- Announce that I’m off to fold laundry in another room, inviting anyone who wants to join while I sneak off with a stash of cookies.
- Allow my kids an hour of iPad time so I can savor a warm cup of coffee without having to scrape off the cream layer.
- Drop my kids at a recreational center’s childcare for a nominal fee, where I can sip free coffee and watch others break a sweat.
- Hire a babysitter to run fake errands, using that time to grab more tacos from Taco Bell.
- Play hide-and-seek with my kids, but hide myself while they are hiding, extending the game and creating delightful confusion.
- Let my kids enjoy bath time for up to 45 minutes; if they love it, why not let it go on?
In my quest for a little breathing room, I often find myself stepping outside the role of “mom,” even if just for a moment. Sure, everyone says to cherish this fleeting time, but so does the grocery store bagger who seems to be on a speed mission.
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Summary: Finding moments of tranquility in a busy parenting life is crucial. Creative strategies, from scheduling unnecessary appointments to cleverly managing kids’ activities, can provide the much-needed time off to recharge and regain a sense of self.