Taking care of baby is a wonderful experience for both mums and dads, but parenting also comes with a huge amount of responsibility and it can be very stressful when there’s no time to relax.
You will have been told a million times that being a parent is a full-time job, but this doesn’t stop you needing time to breathe and the freedom to pursue other activities and hobbies.
With more and more Dads choosing to stay at home and look after their new-borns, it’s important you remember that having a baby doesn’t mean that your time for yourself is gone and you will have to let go of your interests; it just means that you need to work harder to make time. All parents should reward themselves for all their hard work by creating some ‘me’ time every so often – here are some great tips!
Take full advantage of nap time
When baby is asleep, this is the best time for parents to get in anything that they have been putting off. These are the only times during the day when you actually have time for yourself and it’s important to make the most of them. Do what makes you feel most relaxed, whether that’s having a nap of your own, reading a book or just catching up on your favourite TV show.
Take turns with your partner
Raising a child is so much easier when you can work as an awesome duo and take turns when it comes to watching the baby. If dad has been with the baby all day and needs a break, mum can take over and vice versa. If one of you really needs a break, it can be a great feeling to know that you have someone else who can step in for a bit – this is a really important dynamic to establish.
Have a date night
There will come a time when you and your partner want to go out on a date night and spend some alone time without the baby. Find a local babysitter or someone you trust like a family member or friend who will agree to watch the baby for one night. You can plan to do this at least once a month; this me time (really ‘we’ time) helps to keep you and your partner connected and is the perfect way to rekindle the romance that sometimes gets lost after having a baby.
Take up offers from family
When you have a baby, your friends and family will generally offer to watch the baby for you from time to time. Immediately after becoming parent, you’ll both feel really protective and you may not feel ready to leave your baby with someone else, even if it’s family. When some time has passed however, you should definitely rethink these offers to help. Not only will it be good for you to get a break, but your little one will get to bond with other family members.
Invest in a swing or toys
When you have a baby in the house, you can’t take your eyes off them for a second which makes it almost impossible to get anything done. Having a swing and toys creates a safe place for you to put your baby and keep them close by while you do whatever it is that needs to be done. Babies love bouncing around in the swing and the toys keep them occupied while you get paperwork finished or even try to beat your high score on the computer – we know these things can be important!
Take longer showers
As a parent, you learn to cherish those peaceful moments in the shower without having baby around. A long, hot shower feels amazing after a day of hard work and chasing around a little one. Although plenty of guys have an aversion to the tub – imagining scented candles and bath salts – dads could even enjoy taking a bath and listening to some music.
Being a dad is something you never stop learning how to do, but make sure you create some real ‘me’ time and don’t lose yourself in the incredible experience.
