Extremes Parents Go to For Alone Time
Christine Coppa’s drive to work is the only time she’s alone. (Photo: Christine Coppa)
Parents are always told ‘Make time for yourself’ but it’s not so easy. Do you really have spare time? Most of us don’t. As a single mom, I get my alone time while driving to work and listening to music. And sometimes I send my son to bed early — with his iPad — so I can exhale, but he has no complaints. Here, from an informal Facebook poll, other parents share how they schedule (or sneak in) their alone time.
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“Whenever I [unexpectedly] get out of work early — for example, before a holiday — I never go straight home. I use that time to go to the mall, get a manicure, and sit in my car and drink a cup of coffee. And sometimes if I’m expecting to get those free hours, I’ll pack a gym bag and exercise. The kids don’t know my boss closed the office early.” —Patty B.
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This mom has a “just me” plan whether free time is unexpected or scheduled. (Photo: Patty B)
“My gym charges $1 per hour for babysitting, with a maximum of two hours. Sometimes I drop the kids off, then find a couch and read a book, skipping the workout.” —Colleen L.
Hitting the gym, then skipping her workout is how this mom finds solace. (Photo: Colleen L.)
“I drive an extra five miles to a ShopRite [grocery store] with a daycare and a coffee shop. While I’m there, I always grab a coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts and chill out.” —Vanessa G.
This mother goes out of her way to snag me-time. (Photo: Vanessa G.)
“My alone time is when I am at work, pumping [breast milk] for my 5-month-old daughter. I also pray and close my eyes.” —Julie R.
Another benefit of breastfeeding? Alone time. (Photo: Julie R.)
“I get caffeinated with tea and stay up until 2 a.m. reading blogs. I love the quiet time.” —Olivia H.
This little guy keeps his mom wide awake. So she stays that way to get time alone. (Photo: Olivia H.)
“Sometimes I’m ‘sick’ in the bathroom, but I’m actually reading — fully clothed — in the bathtub.” —Kim D.
“I fake appointments and send my son to his school’s aftercare until 6 p.m. once a week, even though I’m able to pick him up by dismissal.” —Jennifer D.
“I have an app on my phone that I can set to call me at a predetermined time. I’ll take the call and pretend to be talking to someone about a work emergency.” —Vic F.
“I play hide and seek with my 7-year-old twins. It takes me 20 minutes to find them — because they are, ha, such good hiders.” —Josh D.
“I book babysitters and I don’t go out. I go to sleep in my bed.” —Rebecca P.
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