When I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew plenty of other parents who told me to take advantage of my free time while it lasted. They said the second my baby arrived, all that free time would fly out the window.
As it turns out, most new mothers don’t have much free time at all during their maternity leaves but just because you’ll be occupied doesn’t mean you should neglect yourself.
In fact, as a new mom already juggling a million different tasks and responsibilities, taking care of yourself is more important than ever.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Embrace efficient time management techniques to make the most of the available time you have as a new parent. |
| 2. Prioritize self-care and carve out small pockets of time for yourself to recharge and rejuvenate. |
| 3. Seek support from your partner, family members, or friends to share the responsibilities and create opportunities for free time. |
| 4. Be flexible and adapt to changes in your routine while finding creative ways to incorporate activities you enjoy. |
| 5. Communicate your needs and boundaries effectively to ensure a healthy work-life balance and to maintain your well-being. |
Establish A System For Cleaning
Establish a system for cleaning that works for you!
Clean as you go. This is a great way to save time and energy and it’s the most efficient way to keep your home in good working order.
It involves doing little tidying tasks regularly, such as putting away laundry and making beds, instead of waiting until they’re dirty (or worse, until after you’ve fallen asleep).
Make a schedule. One thing that can make life easier when a baby arrives is having some kind of plan or schedule in place so that every day feels like an organized routine instead of just chaotic chaos.
Think about what things need to be done when (like laundry, dishes, and cooking), then write those things down so they become part of your routine. The more organized all this stuff feels before the baby arrives will likely help with post-partum stress levels too!
Clean in small increments throughout the day/week/month rather than trying to tackle everything at once later on only because there’s nothing else better left undone but an ocean full of dirty dishes piled atop each other like skyscrapers stretching upwards towards infinity…
Which sounds pretty terrifying actually… better not think about it too much lest we get overwhelmed ourselves before even stepping foot inside our own homes again after becoming parents just yesterday morning!!
Balancing freelancing and motherhood can be challenging, but it also opens up new opportunities for growth. Read about my personal experience on how freelancing affected my life during my maternity leave.
Divide Chores With Your Partner
Sharing chores with your partner is a great way to keep up with all of the things you need to do, without having any one person feel like they’re doing all the work. Before you start dividing up chores, it’s important to think about what each person is good at and interested in.
For example: if you’re not into cooking or cleaning and your partner loves them both, then this is probably a good time for him or her to take over those tasks.
Don’t worry though there are still plenty of other chores that can be shared between the two of you!
For example: maybe neither of you likes folding laundry but it needs to be done anyway because clothes tend to pile up after being washed (and who wants dirty laundry?).
In cases like these, it might make sense for one person to fold clothes while another puts them away this way everyone wins!
Take Shortcuts When You Can
When it comes to getting things done and staying organized, one of the best things you can do is take shortcuts when you can.
For example, using a microwave or slow cooker instead of cooking on the stove will save you time and keep your kitchen from looking like a bomb went off in it.
If that’s not enough motivation for you, consider this: The less cleaning up after yourself while working with food means more time for other things…like taking care of your baby!
Plus, if there’s no mess left behind after eating dinner out of a bowl (or in the case of casseroles), then it’ll be even easier to clean up before bedtime rolls around.
For freelancer moms looking for flexibility in their work-life balance, exploring alternative options to traditional maternity leave can be a game-changer. Discover the various maternity leave alternatives that can empower freelancer moms.
Lower Your Standards
You will have less energy. You will be tired. The worst part is, that you will feel like you are constantly running on empty, and even when your baby sleeps or feeds, there is never enough time to do everything that needs doing.
It’s just the way it goes after having a child: one day they’re splitting up on your shoulder while you watch Netflix in bed at 9 pm (and don’t even get me started on how much I miss those days).
And then suddenly they’re screaming through their diaper change because they haven’t slept more than five hours straight in weeks and are teething on top of that!
In short: Your life will never look or feel like it did before having kids. You might as well get used to being a little less organized, efficient, and patient (if not downright cranky).
Find Ways To Work Out At Home
If you’re a fan of working out, it’s time to get back at it (or start, if you haven’t already). Working out while your baby is napping is the perfect way to stay in shape and have some “me” time.
Try finding a workout program online that you can do at home, like Jillian Michaels’ free 14-day challenge or this free POPSUGAR workout.
You can also try this YouTube video; it’s only 20 minutes long, so it’ll fit into your busy schedule while still allowing enough time for a shower afterward!
If you don’t want to commit to doing an actual workout program every day but still want some physical activity during your child’s nap time, there are plenty of other options available.
Go for a walk around the block (or even just around your house), do some light stretching exercises on the floor next to their crib, or hop onto an exercise bike you might even find them sleeping through these activities as well!
No matter how much sleep deprivation may be plaguing every last inch of your body and mind right now (and trust me when I say I know all about this feeling), taking care of yourself should always come first.
Being pregnant while freelancing comes with its unique set of challenges and joys. Dive into my personal journey and gain insights on freelancing when pregnant to better navigate this rewarding yet demanding phase.
Hire Help When You Can Afford It
You will not have the time to do everything you want to do when you have a baby.
But, by hiring help for the things that you can’t or don’t want to do, you can free up more time for yourself and your family.
Here are some ideas of what kinds of services and products can help:
Hire a babysitter so that one or both parents can take care of themselves or get some much-needed rest during nap times.
Hire a cleaning service so that there is less work for mom and dad and more time getting out with friends, going on dates together, etc.
Hire someone who will walk your dog (or even better yet try out one of these indoor dog parks!). Not only does this give the dog a fun outing but it also gives mom/dad some much-needed downtime! A bonus: if they find other dogs they like while out walking too!
Housekeepers come in all shapes and sizes there are as many types of housekeepers as people are willing to pay them!
You’ll need to decide how often they should come over (weekly? bi-weekly?), what services they should provide (vacuuming? dusting? mopping?), whether or not they should clean windows…and so much more!
This sounds daunting but we assure you: once again with personal experience on our side (having hired three different housekeepers).
It’s worth every penny spent because it means another thing off your plate when life gets crazy busy with little ones running around everywhere making messes left right-center.”
Educate Yourself About Sleep
When it comes to sleep, there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. Some say you should have a set bedtime and wake time, while others say that the best way to get better sleep is by hitting “snooze” more often.
But the one thing everyone can agree on is that we all need more of it!
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes in preparation for childbirth and these changes take a toll on your ability to get good-quality rest at night.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to put your feet up after delivery (which isn’t always possible), then great! But if not, then try these tips for getting better quality shuteye:
Get comfy with some nice sheets or blankets for naptime (or anytime). They don’t have to break the bank;
Just make sure they’re soft enough that they won’t irritate your skin when you lie down on them or rub against them during breastfeeding sessions later on down the road when things start feeling sensitive again after having stitches removed from around nipple areas from leaking milk every time someone sneezes nearby during nursing times.
Yes, this happens sometimes too so don’t worry about being embarrassed about asking about possible solutions like pillowcases made specifically for nursing mothers who want something bigger than regular-sized ones.
But smaller than king-size ones because those would probably end up falling off anyway since most men aren’t built like Barbie dolls either which means when they stand up straight without bending their knees first everything becomes “off balance.”
Which causes some discomfort while standing still long enough without moving around too much until finally finding relief after reaching maximum capacity which results in needing extra help holding onto something else until finally collapsing into bed completely exhausted all over again thanks to mommy/daddy =D
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s okay! When you’re stuck, it’s better to ask someone than try to make it on your own. Ask friends and family, even if they are far away you can always pay them back later with a gift basket or a nice thank-you card.
And if it makes you feel more comfortable asking an acquaintance instead of family, that’s fine too! Some people may even be willing to babysit your baby so that you can get errands done or run some quick errands yourself.
If all else fails, there are plenty of professionals out there who would be happy to lend their services for reasonable rates; just googling “babysitting” will give you hundreds of results in most major cities worldwide.
And lastly but not least: don’t forget about other parents! Find some other moms/people raising kids at similar ages as yours (i mean duh) and ask them what their schedules look like so that maybe someone could take care of yours while someone else watches theirs!
Balancing freelancing and maternity leave requires careful planning and preparation. Explore my strategies on how I plan to freelance during my maternity leave to maintain productivity and ensure a smooth transition.
Take Advantage Of Free Time When It’s Available To You
When you have a baby, there are going to be times when you can’t plan your life around free time. This is just part of the process that comes with becoming a parent. It may not always be fun or fair, but it’s an inevitability with which we all must contend.
If this sounds like your current situation and if it does, I don’t blame you for feeling aggrieved here are some pointers for how to make the most out of any free time that does come your way:
Take advantage of every break from work/school/chores. Allow yourself as much flexibility as possible in terms of scheduling. Remember that even if something doesn’t get done today doesn’t mean it won’t get done tomorrow. If something isn’t getting done at all then let it go!
Freelancing full-time brings both challenges and rewards. Discover the obstacles I faced and the valuable lessons learned on this journey to understand why the rewards make it all worth it.
Conclusion
So, how does all of this relate to free time after your baby is born? Simple: you need to prepare for the inevitable. You will have less free time after your baby is born and if you don’t plan for it, then you will feel like things are spiraling out of control.
When I was expecting my first child, I thought I had plenty of free time and that I would be able to spend it on things like playing with my kids or watching TV. Unfortunately, the reality turned out differently.
My wife spent all her time caring for our newborn son while I was at work or taking care of chores around the house.
That left me feeling frustrated because there wasn’t anything much left over in terms of spare hours during which we could spend quality time together which made it more difficult when our daughter came along three years later (although thankfully not quite as bad).
Fortunately, though, both boys have grown up now so they’re old enough not only to do some chores themselves but also to start helping with childcare duties too!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore for further reading on managing free time and balancing responsibilities after having a baby:
Verywell Family: New Parents and No Free Time Short Description: Learn practical tips and strategies for new parents to navigate the challenges of limited free time and find ways to prioritize self-care.
NCT (National Childbirth Trust): How to Make Time for Yourself with a Baby – 8 Tips Short Description: Discover eight valuable tips to help new parents carve out time for themselves amidst the demands of caring for a baby, focusing on self-care and well-being.
What to Expect: Balancing Work and a New Baby Short Description: Find guidance on managing the transition of returning to work while juggling the responsibilities of a new baby, including tips on finding balance and making the most of your time.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to managing free time and balancing responsibilities after having a baby:
How can I find time for myself as a new parent?
Finding time for yourself as a new parent can be challenging but crucial for your well-being. Consider delegating tasks, setting boundaries, and utilizing support systems to create moments of self-care.
What are some practical tips for balancing work and taking care of a new baby?
Balancing work and caring for a new baby requires careful planning and prioritization. Tips include establishing a routine, setting realistic expectations, and seeking support from colleagues and loved ones.
How can I effectively manage my time as a new parent?
Managing time as a new parent involves creating a schedule, prioritizing tasks, and embracing time-saving strategies like delegating or outsourcing certain responsibilities.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed with the lack of free time after having a baby?
Feeling overwhelmed with the lack of free time after having a baby is a common experience. Remember to be kind to yourself, seek support, and find small moments to prioritize self-care.
How can I communicate my need for free time to my partner or family members?
Open communication with your partner and family members is key. Clearly express your need for free time, discuss expectations, and collaborate on finding solutions that work for everyone involved.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.