17 Things That Mums NEED To Do (And Not Feel Guilty About)

All mums need ‘me time’ but as mums we tend to put ourselves last. We’ve compiled a list of 17 things you should try and find the time for – go on, be ‘selfish’ about it!

It might be hard but we do need to try and ignore the little ‘mummy guilt’ voice in our heads.

How many times have you heard someone say that you have it easier than they did? Mums of today are often thought to have it easier than Mums before us.

There are so many things that are meant to make life easier for us – think of all the technology available – did your mum have a video monitor? Google? How about an electric breast pump? Apps for kids? No, they didn’t have the luxuries that we have today, but do these ‘luxuries’ actually make it any easier?

Even though we have all these gadgets, our kids (and us) are so busy that often we often forget about doing something for ourselves.

Guess what? It’s actually OK and it’s VERY important to do something just for you.

Here are some suggestions that you could try to claim some ‘me time':

Get the kids into bed early so you can watch your favourite show.
Start to read that new book rather something about the kids.
Organise a babysitter and organise “date night” for you and your partner.
Ask the grandparents if they would be happy to have the kids for a sleepover.
Organise some time out with your girlfriends.
Go to a coffee shop on your own and just watch the world around you.
If the kids are at school take some time to enjoy the serenity in the house without doing the chores.
Book in a facial or massage because you deserve it.
Order takeaway so you don’t have to cook.
Make sure you exercise daily – even if it’s just a 20 minute walk it will do you good.
If you’ve just cleaned the house send the kids outside to play.
Play your favourite music in the car rather than the Wiggles.
Eat the last chocolate biscuit.
Make your favourite dinner for one night rather than always the kids favourite.
Go to the movies with a girlfriend while the kids are at school.
Send the kids to school with money for the canteen and sleep in for 10 more minutes that morning.
Buy yourself a new pair of shoes – just because!

We would love to hear if you have any suggestions to add to our list? SHARE with us in the comments below.

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42 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 01 Nov 2024
    8:11 am
Hahah yeah I have definitely popped bub in bed half hour early to get my real housewives fix sooner. I didn’t feel guilty, he was already very tired and we had a huge day.

- - meedee said
  - 25 Mar 2022
    12:21 pm
Anyone else feel anxiety over how the woman pictured has the book beant back. I was always taught to respect books and seeing that makes me anxious.

- - rovermum said
  - 26 Mar 2018
    9:01 am
My son is now 16 and I’ve become very good at creating me time. I have coffee time with my girlfriends on my two days off, I take myself off to the movies on my own on my day off, I love to read my book during the 30 minutes waiting for school pick-up, I book in for a beauty treatment at the start of each term as a reward for surviving the school holidays! As my child grows, it’s obviously easier to make ‘me’ time, but I also think it’s a necessity to make me a better person and Mum.

- - mom90758 said
  - 20 Mar 2018
    2:35 pm
I’ve always found time to read. Every evening, after my daughter goes to bed, I go to my bed and read. Oh, well, nowadays sometimes I even go to bed before my daughter!

- - Ellen said
  - 20 Mar 2018
    8:09 am
Good ideas, if only I could do them.

- - BellaB said
  - 19 Mar 2018
    7:28 pm
Good ideas – not all are viable for everyone, but most could find at least one they could do.

- - mom81879 said
  - 19 Mar 2018
    7:15 pm
Some of these things would be easy to do, others would take a bit more effort and organising

- - Ellen said
  - 12 Jan 2017
    3:25 am
Nice list !
I like to go to bed early with a good book. I can lay as a princess in bed as I’ve an electrical adjustable bed and can lift my head end and foot end….so relaxing !

- - rovermum said
  - 11 Jan 2017
    9:42 am
It is really important that you do something for yourself. My ‘me-time’ has changed as my son has grown, and now he’s 15 I’m in a good space. I love to read, watch TV on my own, have regular massages, facials or pedicures as a reward for the start of a new school term, go to the movies with my girlfriend during school hours (it’s fantastic, an almost empty theatre). Try it and you’ll find you love it and ABSOLUTELY deserve it.

- - ella12 said
  - 10 Jan 2017
    11:47 am
I love these ideas and try and do some of them.

- - mom177164 said
  - 10 Jan 2017
    10:30 am
Have a long hot bath with candles, your fave bubbly and your fave book!

- - mom101628 said
  - 09 Jan 2017
    10:09 pm
My me time is reading a good book. It takes the stress out of my life somehow.

- - mom112217 said
  - 09 Jan 2017
    8:27 pm
All great tips and remember to have a special treat because you deserve it!

- - rachelvk said
  - 30 Apr 2016
    9:50 pm
I love this list and try to do many of these along with some other things that i enjoy.

- - Carolineb said
  - 22 Oct 2015
    10:55 am
Some great tips and suggestions. Might have to try and apply them to my life.

- - Melanie said
  - 07 Oct 2015
    4:13 pm
Lovely ideas. Me-time is vital.

- - mom81879 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    4:25 pm
I’m going to aim for a couple of these. Nothing wrong with mummy me time to retain and restore some sanity

- - mom113055 said
  - 10 Sep 2015
    12:14 am
i love reading

- - mom81879 said
  - 04 Sep 2015
    6:55 pm
Everyone, not just mums need time to themselves

- - tinakraja said
  - 03 Sep 2015
    8:12 pm
I Go for the walk as much as I can, I dont always succeed at getting out but when i do its to the beach, wind in my hair and trousers rolled to the knees and its cold, really cold but i feel the water biting into my skin and freezing my bones but i feel alive, I love it and I always feel refreshed.