Time for myself when I don't have childcare

Many couples only see each other on weekends because of work, grandparents live far away, mum is a single parent, or mum or the children are ill, and then every hour until dad comes home from work feels very long. All these situations mean that mum is on her own with her child/children, which can be very demanding both physically and mentally. How can mum help herself so that she has time for herself too, when there is no one around to watch the children?

 

How can I help myself when I have no childcare

Safety playpen

Back in our grandmothers’ day, this was a very widely used aid. Times have moved on, and today we have really smart playpens with a safety lock, which can be purchased in sizes 150x150 cm, 150x180 cm or 180x200 cm, which is plenty of space for proper play. You can see through the mesh in the playpen, so your child can comfortably watch you and you can see them too. The playpen is sturdy, lightweight, stable and every door can be opened, so you do not have to think about how to place the playpen in the room; it adapts to any room. You can also use this helper when you need to close your eyes for a few minutes, but your child is not in the mood to sleep. Just get in the playpen with them and rest nearby.  

Bed guards

If you have bed safety guards around the bed, you can use them in a similar way to a safety playpen. Your child can not only rest safely on the bed, but also play while you, for example, tidy up, exercise or read a book. Sometimes the easiest thing is to lie down with your child during the day so you have more energy in the evening and can catch up on what you need to do and do not manage during the day. 

Wrap or carrier

For clingy and more easily distressed children, or during separation anxiety or teething, a wrap or carrier is a great helper. Thanks to them you will have your hands free and will not need to carry your child constantly in your arms. You can do ordinary household tasks almost without restriction - cleaning, washing, vacuuming, mopping, folding laundry, ironing, cooking, but also reading a book, watching a series, crocheting, working on the computer, etc. The child can watch mum in the wrap/carrier doing things and also sleep comfortably. 

Learning tower

Some mums really enjoy cooking or baking and see it as relaxation and a way to recharge, so to speak. Children are naturally curious, however, and want to see everything and also try it for themselves. A learning tower is a great helper in the kitchen. Children can see the kitchen counter beautifully from it, and if mum allows it, they can join in the cooking/baking process. You can therefore think of it as spending time together while also creating something you enjoy. The child can run in and out whenever they need to, and you do not have to keep carrying them in your arms so they can see. 

Online grocery shopping

You can save time with children thanks to the option of online grocery shopping with home delivery (Rohlík, Košík, Tesco). It is a very quick and convenient way to save time and energy spent walking around shops. At the same time, you do not have to explain to your child that you will not buy them this or that in the shop. Or it is nice to have lunch or dinner delivered once in a while from a restaurant.

Regular ten-minute breaks

Sometimes it is enough to find just 10 minutes out of the whole day when you pause and treat yourself to something you like. It does not matter whether it is an afternoon coffee, one chapter in a book, a short meditation, a few yoga poses or a piece of chocolate that you eat slowly and mindfully. All these little things help us replenish energy, especially mental energy, so that we can manage to function all day with the children. Of course, it is great when you can find more of these ten-minute breaks during the day. Try writing yourself a list of a few little things that make you happy, so you have something to choose from and can so to speak recharge your batteries.

In short

When there is no one nearby to help with the children, you have to help yourself. Every mum has surely experienced a few days when she was alone with the children and thought about how to make living with them at home easier. Great helpers in the home are undoubtedly safety playpens (for safe play), bed guards (for safe sleeping), a learning tower, a wrap or carrier (for free hands), and online shopping with home delivery (saving both time and energy). It is also great to treat yourself to at least 10 minutes once a day and top up your happiness cup; even just a cup of coffee, a few lines in a book, a sun salutation, or walking barefoot in the grass will do. Anything that makes you happy and gives you energy counts. 

How do you manage when you do not have anyone nearby who could help with the children? Do you use any other handy gadgets in the home?