As your child moves through toddlerhood, you may be feeling it’s time for them to gain more independence. You may enroll them in a pre school, or in some activity classes. This also helps free up your time, allowing you to gain some valuable ‘Me’ time to do the things you’ve missed out on for the last two years.

Having kids is the ultimate sacrifice. They will always come first, no matter how big they get. But it’s easy to reminisce and miss the days you were free to take care of yourself first. It was easy to take advantage of that last minute appointment at the salon. You could drop everything to have brunch with the girls. You may have had a good career too. Professional nannies can offer a helping hand, allowing parents to carve out some time for themselves while ensuring their children are well-cared for.

If you gave everything up to be a full-time Mommy, then now may be the time to get some of it back. Many moms enjoy taking on some work or enrolling in a few fitness or hobby classes. Even taking just one morning a week for coffee with your friends can do you the world of good.

You may be nervous about handing your child over to someone else to care for. If you haven’t used a nanny or childminder before, then it is tough at the start. However, it is good for your child to meet other people and learn how to behave around others. You may also enroll your child in a child care program like preschool or day care, where he or she can meet and play with other children.

If you are making the move back to work, you may need to employ additional domestic staff to make it work for you. In addition to a nanny, you may also want to someone to help with some other domestic chores. This frees you up to enjoy the time you have with your child at home without having to worry about getting the laundry or cooking done.

Heading back to work after a long time out is a challenge for anybody. You may feel more tired at the end of the day, even from part time hours. Having someone else manage your household for you in the beginning takes the pressure off. It allows you to maximize the quality time you can have with the family.

Mother / Son Computer Time

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Even if you’re not going to work, it can feel strange having time to yourself. As more moms choose to stay at home in their child’s early years, there are more women feeling isolated and alone. You can use social media to find other moms like you to join groups and coffee mornings. Leave the housework to your domestic staff for the day and take a trip to the mall.

As moms, finding that balance between nurturing and independence is tough. From the ages of eighteen months to three, our children go through many changes. They become more and more able to cope with new social situations. For moms, this is the age when you too are looking for some time to yourself as an individual and not just a mom. If this is new to you, then don’t rush it. Start with one morning a week, and build up if you are comfortable. Having some extra support as a parent can never be a bad thing either!