Mom takes care of everyone and everything usually before she gives her own care a second thought. She’ll schedule her own appointments around her children’s activities, making sure they never miss a practice. Mom will chair the latest PTA committee so she can stay involved and help out in the school community, even if it means weeks of late night meetings and running errands. She does this to maintain the livelihood of her children, because their well-being is her priority. However, when it comes to putting in time for her own interests, mom actually falls a bit short.
According to data from The Research Moms, less than a quarter of moms (23%) said they put in a lot of effort to keep up with their own hobbies or activities, while about half (51%) said they put in some effort but the time gets shared with other priorities. Twenty percent of moms said they put in no effort at all because they have other priorities.
A hobby can come in many forms. It doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be outside the home or a formally scheduled event. Anything that provides relaxation or takes mom to her happy place can qualify, even if only for ten or fifteen minutes. It should simply be a way for mom to recharge her battery and take a break from the daily grind. It’s important to do this. We want our children to have balance between work and play and we should want the same for ourselves.
Undisputedly, it is a huge challenge to step off the hamster wheel of our daily routine and take a breather. On most days, the tasks are incoming fast and furious and it feels like there is not enough time for the necessities let alone for an actual hobby. However, taking some much needed “me time” should be viewed as a prescription for well-being. Aside from offering a break from the action, it also provides enjoyment and an opportunity to gain new experiences. Some hobbies like exercise, offer huge wellness benefits that go even beyond an improved mental state.
Engaging in a hobby sends a positive message to your children that you can have titles other than mom, and it allows them to view you as multi-dimensional. Furthermore, depending on what your hobby is and the age of your children, you can do the activity together and create bon
ding opportunities. Even in a hectic day, mom will make time for what’s important, and her own health and well-being should be right up there at the top.
How the study was conducted:
The Research Moms conducted a national online survey of 540 mothers with children age 21 and under in February 2015.
