WFMW - Summertime "Mom" Time!

One thing I've learned over the past few years is to take time for myself. It's not always easy, but I have found that it's the magic key to helping me be a better mom.

When school is in session, it's a little easier to find a few hours of "me" time, but with summer here, and the kids bickering at each other ALL the time, I have found that summertime is when I need that "me" time the most.

A few years ago, I started hiring a teenage girl (usually one from church) to come and watch the kids for a few hours. Honestly, it was just so that I could go to the grocery store by myself, in peace and quiet. Nothing is more frustrating that trying to get your groceries with whiny kiddos. We've all been there.

But this year, I'm trying something a little different.

Yes, I've hired another teenager from church (Thanks again Hannah...you really don't know how much I appreciate you doing this for me!) I have a set day. Friday mornings from 9-1. My kids are at a perfect age for a young babysitter...they really don't need a lot of care. They don't need diapers changed or to be fed a bottle. They are pretty much self sufficient. They just need someone here to make sure they don't run with scissors or eat too many fruit snacks.

I pack their lunch before I leave....just one less thing for my young babysitter to do. I also have asked my young babysitter to bring her lunch. Now, that isn't because I don't want her to eat my food, but because I don't want her to starve searching for something in my house.

She gets paid a certain amount and she knows that every Friday morning she will get that amount. (She just might be saving for something like a laptop or something, she might even have a nice spreadsheet that she might be recording her earnings into.....oh, wait....that was me...years ago when I was babysitting!)

The different part, that I'm trying this year is that I'm trying NOT to do errands. I'm trying to do something for myself. Like going to TJMaxx or Marshalls without anyone saying, "when are we done?" or "can we buy this?" Using this time to actually look at stuff.

Now, I'm not completing wasting my time...browsing. I do run into a few places...and get some errands done. But it's just so nice to know that I can do those errands without everyone having to get in and out of the car each and every time. It's heavenly!

So Friday is on it's way...and this week I'm off to get a massage and maybe just reading my book while I sit in the park.

I'm sure it's not too late for you to start taking some time for yourself. Find yourself a young babysitter and start your own summertime "mom" time!

It works for me....checkout more Works For Me Wednesday tips over at We Are That Family!