How do you recharge as a mum — even for 5 minutes?

[HumbleTalkativeMum]

I’m trying to find tiny pockets of calm in the day. A cup of tea, a quiet moment, a deep breath. What helps you recharge?

When I was knee deep in babies and toddlers I used to have an easy book on the go. I could read a page or two at a time.

I was also fortunate to have a fabulous friend. She would come round for a coffee, but shoo me upstairs for ten minutes to drink mine in peace while she played with the children. She is still a fabulous friend now, one of the best.

@UtterlyOtterly This is so lovely to read 💛. That kind of friend is gold — someone who sees your overwhelm and gently makes space for you to breathe. I love that she’s still in your life now. It’s amazing how those small kindnesses stay with us.

I used to try and read too — just a page here and there while my little ones napped or babbled nearby. These days I’m mostly reading bedtime stories and cereal boxes 😅. I’ve got three little ones — 5, 3, and 1 — so it’s full-on most days, but I’m always trying to find those tiny pockets of peace.

Do you still manage to read now? And does your friend still pop round for coffee? I’d love to hear more — it’s so grounding to hear about friendships that last through the baby years and beyond 🌿.

Sit in the bathroom and hide or go to the shops and sit on the car for an hour.

From the very start, dh and I both ring fenced an evening each to do whatever we wanted with. Hobby / volunteering / socialising / quiet time out of the house doing whatever we wanted.
Knowing I had that one evening a week, when I was just 'me' , not 'work me' and not 'dcs' Mum' , but just me, was so refreshing, and I got such a burst of endorphins from it it would carry me through.

Sometimes when my DD is being super intense, I play peekaboo so I can close my eyes and breathe for 5 seconds 😂

Longer term, I knit so being able to set her up with some toys and sit on the sofa is great, I also met a friend through baby groups and we meet every few weeks at the pub for a crafting group for a couple of hours while my DH has baby. I'm breastfeeding so have to be back for bedtime but still nice to get out alone in an evening

may sound boring but for me a glass of water open the back door and feel the air on my face, it’s always fresh air and open skys that heal me

A walk, alone. Or a workout (at home), while the kids play or watch telly.

A bath. I remember as a child it was my mum’s sanctuary - NO ONE could disturb her when she went for her bath - and it has become mine. Bubbles and a good book for half an hour. Bliss!

These are all such lovely ideas — I’m taking notes 💛

@Bubble567
Sitting in the bathroom or hiding in the car for an hour… honestly that sounds like a luxury to me 😂 Sometimes just being still is the reset.

@RecordBreakers
I love the idea of ring‑fencing an evening just to be “you” again. As a solo mum I don’t get that built‑in time, but reading this reminded me how important it is to carve out even tiny pockets where I’m not just “Mum”.

@Maureenwasacat
Peekaboo as a coping strategy made me laugh — that 5‑second eye‑close is GOLD 😂 And knitting sounds so soothing. I love that you’ve found a crafting friend too.

@Bluebellsparklypant
Fresh air really does something to the nervous system. Sometimes I literally open my front door for a minute and breathe like I’m trying to recharge my soul 🌬️💛

@KatB92
A walk alone sounds dreamy. Even a quick one around the block can shift everything.

@mamaduckbone
A bath being sacred space… yes. Mine usually ends with someone knocking on the door asking for snacks 😅 but when I get those quiet minutes, it’s bliss.

And for me — here’s the solo‑mum realness 😂

Whenever I try to do something just for myself, my three immediately treat it like a group activity.

If I do yoga, they all want to join in and I’m trying not to trip over the baby.

If I dance, they’re dancing.

If I say “I’m going for a walk,” they’re already at the door with their shoes on 😅

So I’ve started taking micro‑moments instead:
🌿 a deep breath at the sink
🌿 a stretch while the kettle boils
🌿 30 seconds of silence before I open a bedroom door
🌿 standing by the window for a moment of fresh air
Tiny things, but they help keep me going.

Would love to hear more of your little survival tricks — the solo‑mum micro‑moments that get you through the day 💛🌿

I lock myself in the downstairs loo.
Even now with teenagers.
Obviously, don’t do this with tinies who need constant supervision. At that age DS was very good at sleeping on his pram/pushchair. I used to walk miles with my thoughts whilst he slept. DD was less keen on this activity!

HumbleTalkativeMum Yes, we're still good friends. We meet up fairly often and have seen each other through a lot.

I read every day now, my DC are adults with their own lives and I have much more free time.