While timeouts may be torturous for young children, alone time may sound like paradise to busy mothers. While all women can benefit from a timeout, working mothers juggling careers and home life may be especially in need of scheduled breaks. Women who want to incorporate more breaks into their daily routines should know that it’s possible to do so, even on the most hectic days.

  • You don’t need much time.  A break doesn’t need to be extensive to be effective. Schedule around 30 minutes for the timeout. That’s just enough time to watch a sitcom, read a chapter in a book, or enjoy a nice, steamy bath.
  • Choose a kid-free time of day.  If possible, select a timeout period when the kids are away from home to be guaranteed some alone time. If this is not possible, arrange with your spouse to look after the kids so you can get some alone time.
  • Find an enjoyable activity. Select an activity for the timeout that you may not have time to enjoy when other people or tasks require your attention. Listening to music, taking an exercise class, writing in a journal, engaging in art or other crafts, or reading a book make for great timeout activities. A timeout is not the time to catch up on chores.  
  • Treat yourself on occasion. Build an extra treat into the timeout, such as a bite of a favorite dessert, purchasing a clothing accessory, or a luxurious body butter. This can make the timeout even more enjoyable.
     

Women can use timeouts when they feel they need a short time to unwind and put themselves first.