Between projects at work, soccer games, dance lessons, and getting dinner on the table, it’s hard to find time as a mom to relax and recharge—let alone do the things you used to love. When you become a parent, it’s easy to get wrapped up in doing everything with your kids. But especially around Mother’s Day, it’s a good reminder that it’s just as important to take time for yourself.
According to a Pew Research study, 55% of full-time working parents don’t get enough alone time to reconnect with friends or pick up an old beloved hobby. For married or cohabiting couples, 42% say they don’t get to spend enough time with their partner, which can lead to unhappiness and/or issues in the relationship.
It’s not wrong to take time away from your kids! It doesn’t make you selfish—it’s actually healthy for your relationships. Still, it can be hard to separate yourself from your lovable little ones. In honor of Mother’s Day, we put together a few reasons why it’s not just okay, but important, to have some well-deserved “mom time.”
1. It’s essential to find time to recharge
Time to de-stress and recharge, either through alone time or socializing, is important for your mental and physical health. Whether it’s reading a good book, attending a yoga class, or going to brunch with friends, these moments help you reset. The stress that builds up from everyday chaos doesn’t just affect you—it affects your kids, too. By taking care of yourself, you’re also taking care of them.
2. It strengthens your kids’ relationships with others
Spending a little time apart gives other loved ones—like grandparents, aunts, or uncles—a chance to connect more deeply with your kids. It also helps children see that mom is a whole person with her own interests and relationships. That’s an important lesson in itself.
3. It makes your kids self-reliant
Leaving your child with a trusted babysitter or family member teaches them independence and confidence. It’s empowering for kids to know that they can be okay even when mom’s not right there. And you’ll return refreshed and reenergized.
4. It nurtures your other relationships
Time with your partner, a best friend, or your own mom helps keep those connections strong. These relationships need nurturing, too. Sharing meaningful time with someone other than your child helps you reconnect with parts of yourself that sometimes get lost in motherhood.
5. It sets a good example for your kids
Taking time for yourself or investing in your relationships models healthy boundaries and self-care. Your kids are watching—and when they see you making time for joy, connection, and personal growth, they learn to do the same.
So, this Mother’s Day, don’t feel guilty for carving out a little space just for you. You deserve it. Taking time for yourself isn’t just a gift to you—it’s a gift to your family, too. Happy Mother’s Day!
