Unconventional and Funny Ways Moms Get Self-Care - Baby Chick
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Unconventional and Funny Ways Moms Get Self-Care

Moms have a lot on their to-do lists. It's hard to find "you time." Here are some unconventional & funny ways moms can get some self-care in.

Updated July 21, 2024
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Motherhood isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s wonderful in endless ways, and something many wouldn’t trade for the world. That doesn’t mean that it’s always sunshine and butterflies. As moms, we often feel we must put everyone’s needs before ourselves. But we must put ourselves on our priority list because moms deserve self-care, too!

Luckily, moms are also master multitaskers and creative thinkers! This is important because we’re still individuals with genuine needs, so we can get creative and have fun creating in some “me time.” We adapt and do what we have to do.

How Moms Get Creative (and Funny) with Their Self-Care

Here are some unconventional and funny ways moms might fit some self-care in.

1. Hiding Your Favorite Chocolate

You hide it in your sock drawer, nightstand, tampon box, or even behind the box of applesauce in the back of the pantry—anywhere it won’t be touched. Moms do enough sharing as it is, but some things shouldn’t have to be compromised.

2. Using the Pasta Steam as a Facial

Spaghetti, mac and cheese, rotini . . . steam. Happy little bellies, happy mama skin. You might not visit the spa these days, but you know the kitchen is always calling.

3. Sitting in Your Parked Car Eating Snacks, Online Shopping, and Catching up With a Friend Over Facetime

If you’re lucky enough to sneak away solo for an errand, appointment, or whatever else, you learn to take advantage of it. If you’re a mom, you know this alone time is precious, even though we know it’s ridiculous for moms to consider this self-care. (And if you can’t sneak away alone, you drive around in circles until your child falls asleep . . . and then wakes up five minutes later once you try to park.)

4. Doing At-Home Workouts While Babywearing

Lunges, squats, push-ups if you’re feeling daring, you name it. Sometimes easier said than done, but hey, A+ for effort, right?!

5. Hitting Your Daily 10,000 Steps Pacing the House With Your Newborn During the Witching Hour

You might be walking in circles, but you know you’ll get your steps in and hit at least 10k.

6. Catching up on Podcasts and TV Shows During Middle-Of-The-Night Feeds

Okay, this one might be more for entertainment since your baby or toddler has already woken you up for another feed or to go potty. But since you’re already awake, enjoy your show of choice. It can be a great chance to detach from the stressors of your everyday routine!

7. Hiding Out in Your Bedroom “Responding to Emails” While Your Partner Entertains Your Child Across the House

Because making up an excuse is easier than asking for and explaining why you need a break. Sometimes, mama needs a minute to breathe.

8. Letting Your Child Climb on Your Back Instead of Visiting the Chiropractor

It might be more painful, and you won’t have a good adjustment, but at least your muscles are tender? Think of it as the deep tissue massage you never wanted.

9. Rushing Through Your Nightly Skincare Routine While Singing “Wash Wash Wash Your Face, Wash Your Face Right Now” in a Cheery Tone to Your Toddler

Because maybe you can distract your tiny person for a minute as you wash off yesterday’s makeup and your dignity.

10. Thawing Stashed Breast Milk to Soften Dry Hands When You Haven’t Made It in for a Manicure in What Feels Like a Lifetime

It isn’t called liquid gold for nothing!

11. Reading Through Pages of Online Motherhood Forums During Naps in Place of Regular Therapy Sessions

To vent about how you have a million sweet (and *flattering*) photos of your partner and child, yet very few of you and your baby. Or to be reassured that you’re still a good mom if your 1.5-year-old still takes a bottle. Or maybe finding solidarity in the everyday ups and downs of managing children, households, work, and life in general. Virtual mom networks are a wonderful thing.

12. Making Sensory Bins or Finger Painting on the Kitchen Floor With Your Kid

As a mom, your creative outlet options are unlimited!

13. Letting Your Little One Hang Out in Their Pack ‘n Play with Your Phone, a Snack Cup, and the Whole Roll of Toilet Paper They’re Currently Obsessed With While You Take a Hot Shower

You can give in even if you swore you’d be a zero-screen time family. As a mom, you pick your battles and do what you must to look after yourself! No judgment or mom shame allowed!

14. Swapping Date Night for Drive-Thru Donuts for Your Family Breakfast

Or chocolate chip pancakes for the whole family in the comfort of your home on Saturday morning. Those intentional moments with your partner might be limited for this stage of life, but they’re more important than ever before.

15. Pretending to Be Sleeping in Front of Your Child When They’re Refusing to Nap Until Both of You Are Happily Dreaming

This might involve camping out on the nursery floor and hand-holding through the crib rails, but at least your body is still for a moment.

Bonus: You might even squeeze in an impromptu stretch session for those achy muscles!

16. Putting Your Child to Bed a Bit Earlier Than Usual

6:00 pm, and the sun is still shining? No problem! Pull the blinds, set up the sound machine, and give it a go. This is definitely self-care for moms. You’re golden as long as they haven’t reached the age of telling time.

17. Using Baby Swim Class to Squeeze in Some Light Cardio and Aquatic Therapy

If you haven’t tried it, wading back and forth while keeping 20-some pounds afloat to the tune of “This is the way we kick our feet, kick our feet, kick our feet” makes for more than just bonding and water safety!

18. Hosting Pre-bedtime Living Room Dance Parties to Get the Endorphins Flowing

Trust me, while burning calories, you’re also creating some of the best memories for the whole family!

19. Asking Your Child’s Pediatrician for Medical Advice for Yourself When You Haven’t Been Able to Schedule Your Own Doctor’s Appointment in Months

As it is, you share every cold and sickness your tiny human comes down with, anyway. It only makes sense!

20. Trying out Different Baby Playgroups, Parks, and Museums Weekly to Make Mom Friends and Socialize

Your social life is likely (at least somewhat) different now from what it was pre-baby. Instead of the girl’s bathroom at the bar, you make new friends at baby music class. It still matters and should be nourished in a way that works for mom life!

Self-Care Still Matters in Motherhood

Life with kids is all about flexibility and doing what you have to do to get what you need done. Moms tend to be “naturals” at prioritizing everyone else’s needs before their own, but we still have our own needs to be met. Though taking care of ourselves in our journeys through motherhood might look a bit unusual and, at times, silly, we moms get innovative with our self-care and can make it happen—just like with everything else in these frenzied lives we lead.

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  • Author

Katie is a proud mom of two young children with an extensive background in childhood education and social-emotional development. She holds her Master's in Education from University at Buffalo and keeps her diverse teaching experience close to her heart, having taught a wide variety of age levels in numerous settings. Her current focus is on raising her son and daughter to be happy, curious, and confident individuals whose childhood years are full of wonder, love, and joy. When she's not spending time with her family, Katie enjoys writing, being outside, and connecting with other moms. She hopes to encourage moms everywhere to savor the journey of motherhood - magical moments, messiness, and everything in between.

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