Studies have shown that even with a hard-working and dedicated father, moms take on the bulk of childcare responsibilities. Whether this is through necessity such as breastfeeding or through personal preference, you hardworking moms deserve a break. The trick is finding time for one.

If you’re struggling to find time for yourself, you need to comb through your day and schedule to locate any missed opportunities. If there aren’t any opportunities you’ve missed, you simply need to create one.

Move Bedtime Earlier
The end of the day is rough on little ones as it is, but when you keep them up past when they should be in bed, their moods get sour fast. Instead of keeping baby up late in the evening to enjoy his company, put him to bed early –as early as six o’clock, and not only will you now have evenings to yourself, you’ll also have a happier and well rested baby to spend time with in the mornings and after work.

Take a Lunch Break
For mothers who work outside of the home, there is a temptation to work through lunch or to use that time to run errands. Instead, you should make this time your own for something you enjoy doing. Take a class during your lunch hour or use the time to walk around the local shops. Even heading to your car for a nap might be just what you need to refresh yourself.

Use Your Babysitters
While a husband isn’t a babysitter, you should take him up on his offer to watch the kids while you do whatever you’d like to do. Even if you’d prefer to be with your children, allow your mother to come and help you for the afternoon. Just having an extra pair of hands can lighten the load of motherhood considerably.

There are a plethora of classes under the umbrella “Mommy and Me,” but what many parents fail to realize is that this is a nominal description – not an absolute one. If you were to attend a Mommy and Me class with your baby in the evening or weekends, you’d likely see just as many Daddies as Mommies. There is absolutely no reason you and your baby can’t enjoy a class just for Daddy and Me.

If you’re looking for a way to spend time with your baby, older babies and toddlers have many options when it comes to classes they can take with parents. The central theme of these classes is that Mommy, or in your case Daddy, helps baby through whatever the activity is – swimming, singing, gymnastics, etc… Not only do these classes help you spend constructive time with you little one, they can also set a foundation for healthy learning you can build on as your child matures.

Great Options for Daddy and Me
If you’re interested in taking a class with your baby, look into programs offered in your area by gyms, children centers, and specialty music programs. Some excellent options for fathers include:

• Swimming
• Gymnastics
• Singing
• Music Appreciation
• Dance
• Soccer