I like to go on time to bed with a book and read for a bit before I go to sleep.

I found that establishing a routine for things like bill paying made things more efficient, which enabled me to carve out more time for me.

I tend to stay up after everyone has gone to bed and that’s my time to just relax.

It is hard to find time as a mum. I find that the only time I get is at night once the kids are in bed. Now that two are older I really see that spending time with them ,taking them to sports, Etc has paid off and they are wonderful young people. When I looked back I did get me time, just not in the same form as pre children.
I am very organised and do meal plans and Coles online shopping to save time. This I s me time, just perhaps not what everyone finds relaxing.
Nothing beats a holiday though, a weekend away or few hours at a spa can recharge your batteries.

same boast as you, plus work. I guess do things quicker? online shopping?

There was an article on the Internet I think kidspot.com.au (I’ll try and find it) 50 life hacks to make life easier eg do a load of washing last thing at night and hang it out in the morning. By the time my one child is in bed, I’m exhausted, my house is a mess and its me or the house. I guess how much you can get done in a day depends on the age of your children, their health, your health, whether you get help from anyone with anything, how big your house is, how many pets you have, how involved your partner is and how far you have to travel for anything

i have 5 children and work 50 hours a week. imagine doing all you are doing but take out 50 hours for work. stay at home mums are lucky because they have all those extra hours in their day

after ive worked 10 hours a day, i still have to come home and clean, cook, wash, make sure my kids are happy, help them with their homework, feed 7 pets and make sure my hubby is happy

those who stay home all day are pampered compared to those of us who work

I am a list maker! I make a list of everything that needs to be accomplished that day and tick it off as I go. I then reward myself if I get everything done. A reward is something as simple as a quiet coffee!

A bath or shower is generally about the only time out I get. Sometimes just massaging some hand cream in makes me feel better about the world.

I have No answer other than you are not alone. I use the children’s bed times as my catch up time, hence why I am on the computer still at 11.30pm after bubs late night feed. its tough work and we need to look after ourselves as mums but we all know we won’t until the family are grown.

Can your family members help you and do some of the things ?a bit of help will be great and you will have the time for yourself you want so much.

Does everything need to be done everyday? Maybe do up a chart for yourself that allows you 1 hour every night to relax, maybe when the kids are in bed. An hour to relax in the tub, read a book, or during the day go for a massage or hair treatment.
Maybe do the groceries on one day and cleaning on another. Things like feeding the animals and cooking need to be done daily, I understand. Just have to organise the week and prioritise what is important and what can wait a day or two.

My suggestions are to simplify everything you can – grocery shopping takes time and can be a nightmare with children – do it online and get it delivered. I set the dishwasher and put washing in the machine before I go to bed, I hang the washing out and unload the dishwasher in the morning. Cooking we do in batches and freeze what we can for busy evenings (cheaper than takeaway!). Family (mother, brother, sisters etc)- sometimes they can expect too much and take more than they give, I make sure I have boundaries and know my limitations. Self care is important. 10 mins with a cup of coffee and silence can be like going to a tropical holiday resort some days!

I’m a single mother, and even though I don’t have family or friends to hang out with often it’s just a matter of setting a routine. I live with my mother, brother, sister and daughter. I get up of a morning, do the cleaning, then take my daughter to the park, come home have lunch, do arts and crafts or outside play, then afternoon tea and an afternoon exercise. It’s just a matter of making sure you know your limits.

Also; I would suggest making a list of the top 10 things that you want to do when you take ‘me time’. On your list have ways that you can achieve each thing that you want to do. This does help!

I am a list person. I write down what I want to accomplish that day/my goals and tick them off as I go. I then reward myself at the end of the day if I get all those things done. Just remember you need some time out too and you deserve it! Also remember not everything has to do be done in one day and hopefully this can allow for a little you time.

Every second day I go out for a coffee or take my book outside or to the park for me time. I use to read for one hour before school pick up. I’d park my car and just read. I read 80-100 books a year doing this.

I delegate set times to do chores and jobs and if anything does not get done within that delegated time then it waits for the next day/delegated time. I also delegate time for the things I enjoy-‘me time’ and the same rule applies to this time. I find I use my time much more wisely by having set times for things; otherwise a day can ‘fritter’ away.

I’m not sure your opinion on this due to cost and personal belief but daycare has been an absolute godsend for us. I know a number of mums who send their child/children just so they can have a day off. If you have more then 1 child you can either send both once a week or just send the child that perhaps needs more attention at that point and keep the child at home who still has a day nap or is happy to play by themselves while you have a cup of coffee and read a book.

following. im the same, im poor in time management, taking my time doing things like house work. I get to distracted by face book! I planned to do so much on day care day but never get to it. I guess just be organised, make a plan, set goals? delegate?