Tips for taking small breaks throughout the day

Author: Melanie Fleury
Published: Jul 15 2013

Whether you have an infant or an older child, it can be very stressful to get through the day without taking some time for yourself. However, many children make it seem almost impossible to take a break. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to give yourself a few minutes off without neglecting the needs of your child. Keep in mind that alleviating some of your daily stress will make it easier to be the type of parent that you have always wanted to be.

1. Use Nap Time for Yoga - When your baby or toddler is taking a nap, you can remove a lot of your stress by doing some basic yoga poses. Even if you are only able to fit 10 minutes of yoga into each day, it will help you remain calmer and more focused.

2. Schedule Alone Time - Many mothers are so exhausted at the end of the day that they end up falling asleep shortly after their children go to bed. However, if you can schedule at least one hour to yourself each evening, you will be able to pursue your own interests. For example, you can watch your favorite TV-14 rated television show or take a long bubble bath.

3. Shut the Bathroom Door - It is common for mothers to be interrupted even when they are in the bathroom. If you are alone with an infant or toddler, you might have no choice but to let them access you wherever you are. However, if they are safely secured in a crib or another adult is in the house, you should allow yourself to shut the bathroom door so that you can take a moment to regroup.

4. Reach for Calm Toys - If you need a few moments to relieve some of your stress, you can encourage your child to use their play gym or pull out their favorite toys. Once your child begins playing, you should be able to slowly back away into an adjoining room that provides you with visual contact. This break can be used in a wide variety of ways, including simply taking a deep breath, sitting down for a few minutes or even making a phone call to one of your closest friends.

5. Take a Nap Together - You will definitely have days when you feel like taking a nap, and there is nothing wrong with giving into this desire. As long as you ensure that your baby is down for a nap at the same time, you can allow yourself to relax and get at least a few minutes of much-needed sleep. After all, a lack of sleep is one of the biggest causes of stress.

Taking care of your own needs while tending to a baby can seem impossible at times, but it is definitely possible to keep them happy and safe without constantly feeling stressed out. By allowing yourself to take at least a couple of short breaks throughout the day, you can create a much happier environment for your child.

Melanie Fleury is the mother of four children and often needs several time out's throughout the day. Fun, safe toys like the playmats at http://www.kidsii.com/brightstarts/c-11-play-gyms-and-play-mats.aspx will entertain baby while you sit and relax for a minute.

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