Quick, Simple Ways For Parents To “Steal” Alone Time

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Once you have a family, you begin to realize how much you previously took alone time for granted. Studies have found that the average mom only receives 30 minutes of alone time per day. According to Psychology Today’s Sherrie Bourg Carter, Psy.D., solitude comes with numerous psychological benefits including improved problem solving and better quality relationships. Obviously, I don’t have to convince parents of why alone time is great, but how does one go about spending time in solitude when the demands of parenthood are so immense? Here are ten quick and easy ways to do so.

Take a drive

You don’t need a destination to get out of the house for a bit. A nice relaxing drive around the neighborhood can help to put your mind at ease and provide you with some much-needed alone time. Feel free to drive around in silence with only the sound of the wind blowing or listen to music from your favorite artist or podcast.

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Go grocery shopping

Grocery shopping may not sound like a therapeutic outing, but it’s a creative way to spend some time alone if you plan your trip correctly. First, you’ll want to be sure that you go alone. Second, you should plan to go during a time in which the stores are not congested. For example, Saturday afternoon would not be an ideal time. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Not only do you get to steal some time for yourself, but you also get to knock a chore off of your to-do list at the same time.

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Take a long bath

When you become a parent, you quickly come to recognize the bathroom as an escape and vacation of sorts. Sometimes, it’s the only place in the house where you’re able to be alone with your thoughts — even if only for a short period of time. To make your bath times more meaningful, consider investing in some personal goodies such as bath bombs, shower gels, bubble bath, and body butters.

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Sit in the car and listen to music

Taking time to yourself doesn’t mean that you have to go far. Sometimes an extended trip to the car is all you really need. Recline the seat as far back as it will go and take a deep breath. You may wish to simply close your eyes and be alone with your thoughts or turn on the radio and check your Instagram feed. Whatever you decide, you’ll appreciate this time and return to your family slightly more recharged than you were before you left.

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Take the scenic route home

After a long day of work, you usually just want to rush home, change into some comfortable clothes, and plop down on the sofa. Unfortunately, when you have kids, arriving home from work does not guarantee that rest and relaxation will come anytime soon. So, consider taking the long way home a few times per week to give yourself time to decompress from a long day.

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Utilize nap times

Those of us with younger children often try to take advantage of nap times to accomplish tasks on our to-do lists. However, it can be helpful to set aside a few times per week when you use nap times to relax and engage in something that brings you joy. Perhaps you’ll want to read a book or catch up on that television series that you’re unable to watch when the kids are awake.

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Move bedtime up an hour

So many of us are guilty of passing out as soon as kids fall asleep for the night. It makes perfect sense when you think about it because parenting is completely exhausting. However, having time to decompress is also important and it can actually help you to sleep more soundly. Consider moving bed time up by one hour and taking advantage of that time to unwind.

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Wake up early

In addition to putting the kids to bed earlier, it can also be helpful to wake up an hour earlier than everyone else in your household. You may decide to use this time to exercise, enjoy a cup of coffee, or get a head start on mapping out your day. This much-needed alone time can help you to feel recharged and much more prepared to conquer the day.

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Run errands

This may not be the case for everyone, but some people find enjoyment in tackling their to-do list. For those of us who do, a Saturday or Sunday morning in which you are able to run errands alone can feel like a tropical vacation. Get out early so that you can avoid the crowds and stop by your favorite coffee shop or juice bar while you’re out.

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Take turns with a partner

Moms aren’t the only ones who are in need of meaningful alone time. Dads could use a break too. A great way to make sure that both you and your partner are getting the time that you need is to set up a schedule during which you take turns facilitating the bath and bedtime routine. This provides the other parent with additional time to relax and enjoy their own company.