If you have children and work and have little support, how do you get time for yourself?

[RibbetyRib]

How does anyone achieve this? Or is it not realistic until they’re teens?

Take annual leave. I changed jobs after my son was born (I have 2 children) to one which gives me 41 days of leave. I have to use most of this covering our childminder's annual leave but usually I still have some left for time off together and a Christmas shopping day! Like I said before, it's brutal but having a good annual leave entitlement makes it a bit easier.

Take a day of annual leave to myself once a year.and yes that means another day spending £££on holiday club at some other point in the year.

You and DH split the weekends. Each of you gets a half day on a Saturday or Sunday or a whole day without the kids. Whatever works for you. He's responsible for organising his activity when it's your turn off parenting.

Take a days annual leave or pull a sickie when the kids are at school / nursery.

My DH's company does wellness days where he gets a random day off now and then. We spend those in the spa.

Do you have a dh/dp? We have loads of family but no one has ever helped us and no one has ever offered. I’m 11 years a parent and have 3dcs and none of our families has ever helped or babysat for even 5 mins.
However , me and my dh are a real team and swap over loads, we still have plenty of times as a family but I /he will take thek
away the odd day or weekend and the other can chill, gym, do hobbies. Same for normal weekdays , we free up each other to go for a run , or a lie in or just to go into another room and watch a program or meet a friend for coffee. Everyone around us has family support so it’s important for us to allow each other to have time . We didn’t do this when they were small as I was bf for a long time etc etc and we were often burnt out. I think if you have a zero family support or helpful family you have to work it out as a couple. I get if you’re a single parent and no family support , that would be extremely difficult.

I periodically take a day off on a school day. Occasionally DH and I take it in turns to have a day off on weekends and we individually go places. We have occasional date nights - not as frequent as I like.

Gets easier as kids gets older.