{"id":111352,"date":"2020-05-08T11:16:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T15:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111352\/how-to-actually-get-alone-time-when-home-with-kids-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T10:18:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:18:26","slug":"how-to-actually-get-alone-time-when-home-with-kids-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111352\/how-to-actually-get-alone-time-when-home-with-kids-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to actually get\u00a0alone time when home with kids\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When\u2019s the last time you had any alone time? If the answer is, \u201cI can\u2019t remember,\u201d or just an eye roll, we feel you. Not getting enough alone time is a challenge for so many parents \u2014 moms especially. But you might be feeling like you need it \u2014 now more than ever. Here are some tips and tricks for how to carve out time for yourself  \u2014 even if it\u2019s just a sliver \u2014 so that you can recharge. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a partner, take shifts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tag teaming childcare duties is one easy way to get some alone time. Take turns being present with your child, with one parent on kid duty and the other free to spend their alone time however they see fit \u2014 showering, staring at a wall in peace, whatever it is you need. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take advantage of bedtime or nap time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This might be an obvious option, but we\u2019ve got to cover all the bases here. Consider spending this time doing something productive that\u2019s a real challenge for you to tackle when your child is awake <\/span>or<\/span><\/em> just doing something that\u2019s purely enjoyable to help you feel like the time is rewarding or even restorative. Rather than, say, fold some laundry \u2014 something you can likely do with your little one around (even if it might take a bit longer) \u2014 use this time to tackle a work report that calls for your undivided attention. Or just take a breather, throw on a sheet mask, and video chat with a friend. Exhausted by the options? Maybe even take a nap yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give your child something to keep them busy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes kids can spend hours engaged in free play on their own. Other times, you\u2019re hearing \u201cmom!\u201d every other minute. If your little one needs to be given something to do, try a sensory play box or a \u201cbusy\u201d box. A sensory box is any bin filled with tactile objects like rice, cotton balls, or blocks, along with a few cups or a spoon to sort through the objects. You can also add other exciting toys to the mix, like dinosaurs, race cars, or puzzle pieces. A \u201cbusy\u201d box is any small container, like a lunch box, filled with materials for a particular activity: modeling clay and cookie cutters or a coloring book with crayons and stickers. And sometimes you can even just give your little one a toy they haven\u2019t played with in a while \u2014 so exciting! If you have older kids, hand them a project or practical task, like making a birthday card for a family member or sweeping the floor. Depending on how old your kiddo is, maybe you can leave the room entirely or maybe you need to stay close \u2014 but you should be able to get at least a little mental time for yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just step away<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Moms are so often the main axle that keeps the wheels of a family from flying off the road. But you may be able to give your family some more space to be left to their own devices. Maybe this just looks like you writing emails from across the room while your toddler dumps out all their toy bins and then figures out what to do next, or letting your big kid fix their own lunch, or asking your partner to handle your child\u2019s bedtime routine on their own. Give yourself permission to be okay with a little more distance. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You guessed it: screen time<\/strong> <\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Let’s be honest \u2014 parents are allowing a lot more screen time these days. And if your child is getting more than they usually do, that\u2019s really okay. Maybe you throw on an educational show or a movie they\u2019ve seen a million times. Maybe you have them log on to do some school work or let them play a video game online with a friend. You know what\u2019s right for your family and what keeps your little one occupied, so roll with it and use the time to recharge \u2014 or just fix dinner by yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set a timer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes play time or screen time or just-step-away time is a little easier with the help of a timer. If you\u2019re finding it hard to get that alone time \u2014 or if your child is finding it challenging \u2014 sometimes measuring the time in this way can make it go over more smoothly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put it on a schedule<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This very small act can often help everyone in your family, yourself included, recognize that you having alone time is important. So decide when you\u2019ll be having some alone time \u2014 whether to work or scroll social media or do whatever else you need or want to do \u2014 and make it a priority. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be honest about your need for some solo time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This can really help families get on the same page about mom needing some time by herself. If you have a partner, be honest about what you need. And while it\u2019s often hard for young kids to be okay with you stepping away, you should also be honest with your child in an age-appropriate way. No matter how you choose to spend that time, it\u2019s important to explain that everyone needs alone time once in a while. Eventually they\u2019ll understand that it\u2019s totally normal for mom to step away and call a friend, listen to music while prepping dinner, or do some YouTube yoga \u2014 and that alone time is important for everyone, themselves included. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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