As much as I love being with my kids, I have to carve out a little “me time” every once in a while. So, how does a busy stay-at-home mom plan some free time during the day for a much needed shopping spree? Here are a few hints.
Trade Time Off with a Friend
You and another stay at home mom can take turns watching the kids while one of you enjoys a few precious hours of alone time. This arrangement works best if you only do it every couple of weeks and allow each other equal time to be away.
Hire a Trustworthy Sitter
You may be able to find a local college student who doesn’t have very many day time classes and can watch your kids one day every week or so. Of course, you’ll want to check references before leaving your children with a new sitter. Once you find a responsible person, you can ask the sitter to watch your kids and a friend’s kids. Even though the sitter will charge a little more to watch more children, you and your friend can split the cost, meaning you’ll save money.
Find a Mother’s Day Out Program
Some daycare facilities offer drop-in programs on a pay-as-you-go system. This allows moms to leave their kids in a safe place while they run errands or shop. Typically, the fees are higher than if you enrolled your kids for regular care, but you can also avoid enrollment fees by only using the drop-in care services.
By giving yourself a few hours to shop for clothes and handbags from Dereon or to browse the shelves at your favorite bookstore, you’ll be a better mother in the long run. You’ll feel happy, relaxed, and refreshed when you pick up your kids.
