Me time, what is that? That is the actual response I got from one of my mommy friends when asked the question how do you spend time alone. I decided to conduct a little study and see what the moms I know do for their “me time”.

In the past year and a half since my son was born, I have hardly gotten any time to myself. Like one of my girlfriends said, my time is not my own anymore. It completely belongs to my son. Even at night, when my son is sleeping, he is in MY bed while I’m out on the couch using my laptop. As if that’s not bad enough, he still doesn’t sleep through the night. Until my husband and I get in the bed, that is. He will wake up once or twice before I finally feel like retiring for the night.

Needless to say, I recently found myself craving some real me time. The sad thing is that it’s been so long, I don’t even know what to do with myself. So, I asked and here is what some of the moms I know had to say:

• To get “Me” time, I have to leave my house. Luckily I have help at home, so I have a bit of an advantage with that. I would say that I go out for “Me” time about 2-3 times a week, which I think is sufficient. Even if its just for an hour, I am still satisfied. My favorite “Me” times include a good ‘Girls Night Out’ at a restaurant, lunch with a good friend, or some good old fashioned shopping.

• Workout, manicure and pedicure..try to do monthly girls night out. I get time to myself thanks to help from grandparents and taking an hour after work when Aaron is still in school and doing what I need to do, be it errands or catching up on Grey’s Anatomy from the night before. I would need more time to myself if I only counted on my husband to help because he is busy with work a lot at odd times and when he is free we do things all together so I can see him too. I think I am happy with the amount of me time I get.

• Short of feigning illness, I am afraid I don’t have many ways to get Me time away from my husband and baby. I would love, at least, an afternoon to myself each week, in order to get a mani/ pedi, or read a magazine for a couple hours in Starbucks, with only a vanilla latte for company.

• For ‘Me Time’ I like to take long showers, check my email or get a manicure. I am not so into alone time yet. My daughter is only 5 and a half months old and I don’t have a real desire to be away from her. Even when I leave to get a manicure I can’t wait to get home. I like to pop her into a bouncy seat in my room and put the TV on for her while I am in the shower. I can hear her cooing and talking and I know she is happy so I can relax and wash my hair, blow dry it and feel great!

Do you see a trend here? Pampering!! Yes, pampering. What I would give to have a weekly manicure, pedicure, massage and some time to just chill in the tub with a good read! Seems I am not alone…..

• Me time - what is that ? Honestly now that I am working, hardly ever. But when I do get the chance, usually I will go and get my nails done or sadly, my me time is used to run errands. We all know how much easier it is to do it alone. I have found that I absolutely need to find a babysitter to come every other Saturday so I am forced to spend me time. (Here’s a tip - high school age is perfect because you don’t have to pay them outrageous prices)

• Finding time for myself…I will take it in what ever form I can find it! Most recently I have been asking Daddy to give Jake his bath and put him to bed while I indulge in a bubble bath and distract myself with magazines! It’s sad to say that I actually consider food shopping in the evening “my time” I have heard that some girls get up an hour before their kids to find time to themselves, but that’s not for me! (me neither - sounds great in theory, but I’d be up at the crack of dawn - no thanks!)

• I go to the gym. I try to go at least five times a week for an hour.I take my son to the babysitting at the gym. I love having the hour to read or watch TV and get a workout.I also try to see my girlfriends alone once every week or two either for dinner, breakfast or a walk. I like the amount of alone time I have but of course there’s never enough.
  

• I try to make plans with my friends or family in the evenings when my husband is home and the kids are in bed. I have to force myself to make plans and then stick with them, but am really refreshed when I get home. I get out on my own once a week or less, but it is primarily my fault for not making sure I get more me time!
  

• Get the grandparents to stay and go away… Brody is 18 months and we have been to a 5 day cruise, 4 nights in Key West, 2 nights in San Diego, and 2 nights in the Bahama’s — all Brody free. — oh, I guess this is “us” time but i think it’s important. For “me” time, I get up every day and go to work. For me, that’s healthy. I love my job and have stayed just as committed to my career with Brody as I was without.

So you see, most of us mommies have something in common and that commonality is needing time to ourselves or with our friends to feel like US again. As much as we all love our kids, parenting is a lot of work and we all need a break sometimes. It seems that going to the gym, having a night out (or lunch) with girlfriends, getting a manicure or pedicure and even running errands are the most popular ways to spend mommy ME time! Go out and enjoy!