Everyone knows that life changes when you have children. Being a parent means that your own needs come second, always—if you even get to them at all. Even though we all know this will happen, it’s quite a different thing when it becomes reality. The complete loss of self can be an unpleasant shock for many new parents.
In fact, when Babycenter polled more than 2,000 new mothers, 64 percent said that the biggest challenge was the lack of time for themselves. Fifty percent said they were surprised by how much their daily activities changed.
It’s essential to try to cultivate time for yourself outside of work and parenting. Raising a child is a high-stress, life-altering job, and many new parents find themselves overwhelmed by sleep deprivation and all their newfound responsibilities. The stereotypes (the exhausted mother who loses herself attending to her child’s needs, the father consumed by work during the day and his children during the evening) exist for a reason. Not allowing yourself time away can lead to marital troubles as well as personal mental health struggles for all parties.
Even taking a few minutes here and there can be enough to recharge, but ideally, you’ll want to have at least a few hours away from the baby each week to avoid burnout. This will provide you with time to focus on self-care, pursuing your pre-baby hobbies, or even quality time with your partner or friends. It may seem impossible when you’re in the throes of new parenthood, but trust us—taking a few hours away from the children can provide innumerable benefits for your physical, emotional, and mental health.
But How Can Parents Make Time For Themselves?
The best way to make me-time a reality is to hire a part- or full-time nanny or mother’s helper to help care for your little ones. Your nanny will be able to pick up the slack whenever necessary, whether you need a relaxed brunch with your mom friends or just a few blissful hours of uninterrupted sleep.
If you’re considering hiring a nanny but aren’t sure where to start, look no further! Using a reputable nanny placement agency is the safest way to ensure the nanny you hire is qualified, experienced, and able to fulfill all your family’s childcare requirements.
Many nannies are happy to work flexible hours that best suit the needs of the families. If you need a late-night here or there for quality time with your partner, or even overnight, travel, or vacation care, they will be able to take care of your children during those times. Your placement specialist will only refer candidates who meet your scheduling needs, and will even be able to help you draft the nanny contract when you decide to make an offer.
When looking for a nanny, you want to make sure she is someone you trust implicitly; otherwise, the time you take for yourself will be consumed by worries about the kids. We have compiled a list of questions you’ll want to be sure to ask in any nanny interview you conduct. This way, you can feel assured that you know your nanny’s childcare background as well as her stance on the most important issues.
Remember, you don’t need to sacrifice your life completely to raise good children. There’s nothing wrong with needing time to care for yourself; a well-rested, happy parent is a better parent. Contact us today to find out more about how our service can help you!