When you’re a new mom, the time spent with your new baby seems never-ending but moving too fast at the same time. Beyond that, your sense of self is slowly being dragged around to the point where you’re trying to rediscover who you were before you became a mom. While it’s hard to find time for yourself during those first months with a newborn, it’s more important than ever to find yourself a hobby – this means you’ll need the pro tips on how to find time for hobbies as a new mom.
We’re not going to break down all the hobbies you could possibly start, instead we’re going to focus on how to find time to start the said hobby. This will include trying to figure out which hobby is best for you and the amount of free time (if any) you have or if you need a hobby that includes your baby – at least for the moment.
Why Are Hobbies Important for New Moms?
To cover that, we’ll also need to answer the question “why do moms need alone time?” – alone time and hobbies are the key to filling up the empty tank new moms like to run on. You’re spending all your time taking care of this new life you’ve created and neglecting yourself in the process. And we understand that this is a VERY important job, you have a tiny human that is relying on you for nearly everything. Still, you shouldn’t neglect yourself – you can’t pour from an empty cup.
I highly suggest reading through the article “Alone Time For Moms Is A Necessity, Not An Indulgence” if you’re curious about the benefits of alone time.
Essentially, it’ll greatly benefit your mental health. Plus, starting now instead of later allows you to develop the skills necessary to do both – to have it all. You’ll be able to set a routine for yourself and your babies that include time to reconnect with yourself. Other reasons include:
- Teaching your kids balance between work, family, and self-care
- The kids will grow up someday
- You’re not a superhuman
- Your baby needs to understand that others have needs too
It’s hard to explain all that to a newborn, right? That’s why I mentioned that you may need to find a hobby that includes your baby for the time being – although you should make it to where you’re getting some self-care time too.
How to Find Time for Hobbies as a New Mom
There are a few key tips and tricks to finding time for yourself as a mom and starting your new or possibly restarting an old hobby. These are tips that I’ve used to start my blogging hobby – and hopefully, you’ll be able to use to start finding some “me time” in this busy time of motherhood:
#1. Have a Family Member Watch Your Baby Once Per Week
This is much easier said than done – especially when you have a newborn. But, it’s still possible! Instead of thinking about it as dropping your baby off at your family member’s house, ask your family member to come over so that you can have some time to yourself while still being right there if you’re needed.
This gives you time to socialize with your family as well as spend time to yourself doing your hobby. If this is the route you go, you’re not limited on the hobbies you choose as long as they don’t require you to leave the house!
#2. Talk to Your Partner
If you’re with your partner, discuss the need for you to have time to yourself and to do something for yourself (your hobby). Talk about some times during the week when they can help with the baby while you focus on a hobby. You don’t need a lot of time if you don’t want, you can make do with a small hobby and 15 to 20 minutes per day (consider something like journaling).
#3. Include Your Baby in Your Hobby
Single moms and moms that don’t have family living nearby deserve to have hobbies too – that’s why we suggest having a hobby that includes your baby. Common interests and hobbies are also great ways to get closer to your kids when they’re older, so why not start now?
Hobbies to do with your baby include yoga, reading, dancing, singing, drawing, and more. At the moment, your baby will probably just relax near you (or on you) while you adventure into your new hobby, but eventually, they’ll grow and join you!
#4. Make Time Before or After Bed (or During Naps)
Here’s the only problem with this tip: you’re supposed to sleep when your baby sleeps. Honestly, if you’re fresh from the hospital after birth, now is not the time to start a hobby. A hobby is best started or introduced into your routine in the first 2-3 months after birth. At this point, you’re more familiar with when your baby sleeps and when you need to sleep vs. when you have time to do something for yourself.
I highly recommend looking into hobbies that don’t require many materials and offer lots of online resources like knitting, blogging, and other small crafty or creative hobbies.
Wondering what hobby is best for you? Let me know in the comments below!