Parenting is one the most rigorous jobs on the planet… just ask any mom with young kids.
It can flat wear you out.
In order to be at our best for our little angels, sometimes it simply means getting some time away from them and their golden halos.
We all need some time to recharge, refresh, and then get back into the game revitalized for the mission. But how do we do it?
Well, it doesn’t happen by accident, so here are some intentional ideas that you can put to work in your family to make sure you get a needed break every now and then:
- Schedule It… It’s often true that what gets scheduled gets done. So put time away on your weekly calendar, even if its just for a few hours. If you’d like to see how my wife and I have incorporated time away on a weekly basis, I’d encourage you to check out my Free Intentional Family Game Plan.
- Do a ‘Kid Swap’… This is as simple as finding another family with kids of similar ages who would agree to watching your kids on a night while you go out, and you returning the favor for them on a different night while they go out. Your kids will love the time with their friends, and you’ll save yourself the cost of a babysitter. Chances are, there are other couples out there with kids just like you who are needing to have some down time as well.
- Hire a babysitter… I’d guess that there are some responsible and charactered teens or college students in your church that would love to make a few extra buck on a regular basis, while at the same time having a positive influence on your kids. Years ago, we set up an ongoing scheduled night with a teenager when they would plan to watch our kids so we could go out, and it worked out great for both us and them.
- Put the kids to bed early… (or maybe just ‘on time’) With school back in full swing, your kids need to be getting to bed earlier anyway. So set aside some quality time at the end of the day for you and your spouse to connect. I’m not referring to time spent side by side on the couch scrolling through your phones, but enjoyable time intentionally spent together.
- ‘Mom’s Only’… Dad’s, let’s admit it, mom usually needs the time away from the kids more than we do, especially if she stays at home with them all day. Take initiative and give her permission to go out by herself or with her friends ‘kid-free’ from time to time. Maybe even give her a few bucks to make her time away even more enjoyable. Happy wife, happy life, right? Lol.
- Quit making excuses… Let’s face it, if we don’t make it happen, it won’t, and we’ll continue living day to day on the last thread that’s about to snap. So stop coming up with excuses for why you can never get away to spend time alone. Don’t feel guilty or embarrassed to take some time for yourself.
Parenting by nature is one of the most selfless jobs in the world that can simply drain your tank to empty fast. So you need to spend some time refueling yourself every now and then.
Also, don’t hesitate to offer to take someone else’s kids when you see that they need a break. We’ve had friends do that for us, and it’s been a huge blessing. You could be someone else’s blessing by doing the same, whether it be for your pastor, a friend, or anyone else.
Feel free to share these ideas. What are some ideas that you’ve found successful to finding time to get away and take a break from your little angels? I’d love to hear yours!
