Originally Posted by kapatt
I use to get up around 5:30 or 6:00 to have "time for myself". It really helped me out to not have anyone bothering me. Now my kids are grown and come home to visit. My husband is retired and around all of the time. I still get up early each morning to have time for myself. It is a wonderful part of the day.
Each person is different so you will have to find out what works for you.
What helped me with raising my kids was to have a schedule. I don't know the age of your kids so your schedule will be determined by their needs if they are really young.
My schedule was something like....my time from 5:30-7:00;
breakfast for the kids at 7:30. Have them dressed by 8:30.
Knowing that my kids were going to be fed by 7:30 helped me to tell them to stay in bed until 7:00 in the morning.
They had schedules in the evening too...
dinner at the same time; bath and story at the same time and early to bed when they were young.
As they got older, they were allowed to stay up later but evening was to be a calm time...not a busy time.
You do need time for yourself. You just have to make it while making sure that your children's needs are fulfilled at the same time.
wow, this sounds just like what I did with my kids. I didn't get up early like this...my, 'me' time was after they went to bed. I have just never been a tv watcher, so I would do whatever interested me, during this time, and sometimes it was housework, but sometimes, it was a book, or sewing etc.
They were on a schedule from the time they came into the world, and we all thrived on it.
Hubby wanted everything to be spontaneous, but that created havoc, so he went along, to get along, and all was good.
You have to find your own rhythm, but I can tell you, I love all three of my son in laws, but I could tell you by the ways my daughters are acting, when their hubbies are going thru a, "I need to lay in the bed" phase. It makes them feel, like a maid, a slave, and a babykeeper,...unappreciated etc.
I don't know your circumstances. Your husband might work midnights, and have to be in bed, but it's that, - it's all on my shoulders, thing, that drags you down. You feel alone with it all.
Do you have any family close? girlfriends with kids, your kids could play with, while you two have some girl time?
Some days, you may have to scream into a pillow, or turn up the radio, while your using the bathroom...just for a minute or two...depends on ages of kids. This is good, when you have teens, to drown out smart mouths. I only had one of those, and didn't have a radio in the bathroom then. If i had, I wouldn't be as nutty as I am now. :D
I do agree with Ninnie, and I know it may sound cliche...but really and truly...this too shall pass.