Mumsnet users share the novel ways they make time for themselves with Nintendo

[JustineBMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed.

It can feel impossible to make time for yourself at the best of times, let alone when you’re juggling working from home and playing the role of teacher on top of your day-to-day home life. With free time often scarce and always precious, Nintendo would like to hear about the novel ways you’ve been making time for yourself at the moment.

Here’s what Nintendo has to say: “Keeping your mind active and taking some time out for yourself is really important and using quick games that engage your brain can be a great way to relax. Dabbling in puzzles, board games and a spot of brain training can help you to focus your mind on the here and now and give you the chance to relax when you have a few precious moments of quiet.”

Have you been taking extended loo breaks to achieve some much needed alone time even if the scenery isn’t the most appealing? Perhaps now the kids are home all the time you’ve got them involved with your relaxation rituals? Have you been entertaining yourself with video or brain training games? What do you do to relax if you have just a few minutes to yourself?

Whatever the ways you’re making time for yourself, share on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[CigarettesAndNoAlcohol]

i stare at the wall. i'm not joking. well, i am sort of. i basically enjoy the peace and quiet andnot needing to be needed for a moment or two - i often just close my eyes and focus on breathing for a couple of minutes in the calm, almost like mini meditation, but it can be done anywhere. so, a spot of quiet mindfulness really.

[TargaryenDragon]

Getting the children to bed by 8pm most nights. Then I can have some evening time to myself after very busy days.

[PoodleMoth]

I play Just Dance on the Switch with my daughter and sometines by myself! And I play the Professor Layton puzzle games regularly on an evening once the children are in bed as I love a good puzzle! I also read in bed at night to switch off.

[Marsbardelight]

Once kids are sleeping and house is somewhat tidy I make a brew get some biscuits watch TV then make my way to bed to read for a while before my eyes feel heavy and eventually I sleep! Finding ME time is so hard when kids are in the scene and when the opportunity is there I'm usually tired and ready for bed

[vickyors]

My relaxation. After lunch, the kids have three penny sweets in a little ramekin, and they have to go and lie on their beds and read or (4 year old) look at books.
It's bliss. I can get some stuff done, or just sit and have coffee in peace. Bliss.

[flowerpower32]

Getting up super early and crossing fingers they lie in a little.... reading the paper

[sheilads105]

I'm afraid I cheat and put a movie on for the kids.I also make sure they go to bed at a reasonable time and that they know to stay in bed once there. Leaves evenings for me & my husband.

[pennyw85]

In the evenings, when the kids are in bed, I sometimes de-stress with a little walk in the sunshine. Just 30 minutes to myself does wonders for my mood

[Lemming20]

Watching Friends on Netflix over and over (whilst feeding the baby...)

[mumsbe]

I must say I do 10 minutes meditation every morning as well as yoga. I have got the kids into this and also bought us all fitness trackers as in lock down we all put a stone on. I recently bought my daughter a Nintendo switch light for her birthday and we got animal crossing. I must admit I have been enjoying the game too and it's been great to get out virtually.
we are also investing in the nintendo fitness accessories for the switch as it sounds like a fun way to get fit.

[Gertie75]

I love gaming and the Switch is my favourite console ever, my love of video games started as a child with the original Atari and over the years I've had a zx Spectrum, C64, Amiga, Game Cube, Wii to name a few.

I'm now 45 and my best friend of over 30 years comes round for dinner every week and we sit on the settee with snacks playing the Switch, it's such great fun, we've been in tears of laughter at some of the crazy things that have happened on Overcooked 2 such as the kitchen setting fire or accidentally throwing sausages into the river.

We're currently working our way through Link's Awakening and when she's not visiting I pass my evenings playing Splatoon 2, I bet most of the players I team up with imagine I'm a teenage boy and would never guess I'm a middle aged woman!

[AllTeaAllShade]

I unwind by taking tepid baths with the kids hammering on the door, "mumming" me every 3 minutes they are usually hungry or the young one has pooed and decided to share it. Sometimes i get a hot cup of tea but i usually lose my biscuit. On better days we crack the Wii out for a game of super smash bros or my fave wario smooth moves as its hilarious and keeps the little angels schtum for half hour.

[SmileyShazza]

I've been going for a walk. Either after my husband finishes work and can take over with the kids or when the kids have gone to bed.

Those daily walks have become my little bit of me time during the day. I usually put on some of my favourite tunes on my headphones and walk for around 30 - 45 minutes. I will often sit in the park and just enjoy the peace and quiet of having a few moments on my own.

I love having my kids and partner around me but I've come to realise I need some time on my own to gather my thoughts. I've found doing this away from the hustle and bustle of the house is much more effective - it's helped my mental health no end and has also had a positive effect on my physical well being too.

[fei0131]

I love to sew, but it's hard to find time with three children at home. Fortunately my husband is working from home, so sometimes I can sneak through when he's on his lunch break and get on with a project.

[WhatILoved]

I get up very early so that I can exercise alone and have a nice calm breakfast! I v as lue this more than a lie in

[joggingrunning]

I have been playing 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' when the children are in bed. It keeps me entertained whilst I solve puzzles and explore shrines. It really is a fantastic game! I am so engrossed in it that I already spent over 50 hours on it .

[goldenretriever1978]

I like to get up early for a little time before they awake...

[fishnships]

I try to have a bath daily and have a few games on the pinball machine while the bathwater is running. Then read a chapter in the bath. These little rituals have helped me get through lockdown.

[Shiraznowplease]

I set my alarm half an hour earlier than I need so I can have a coffee and a catch-up with events online before the children get up. The other thing I do is lock the door when I am “cleaning the bathroom” but really sit on loo reading my book

[Pimmsypimms]

I make sure I take some time out each day to read a good book, it always makes me feel relaxed.

[mummydinosaurRawr]

Our daughter is practicing for a career as some sort of commentator, she talks constantly. I've had to insist on a new rule; unless it's an emergency, don't talk to me while I'm on the loo; I want to pee in peace!

For a longer patch of quiet, I found that booking into the beauty salon under the guise of "supporting a small local business" is quite effective.

[AltheaThoon]

I may have taken a flask of tea with me on trips to the supermarket before. Once the shopping is done I've had 10 minutes alone in the car with a cup of tea and whatever I'm looking at on my phone at that moment!

[Ghost9525]

When my one year old dd is napping I sometimes play Pokemon on the Nintendo with DS he loves it and now wants a pet ‘ratatta’ he’s 3.

[Natsai1]

Its hard getting some me time as I work nights and having the kids at home (trying to keep on top of homeschooling and sufficiently entertained whilst trying to also get enough sleep before going back to work) proved difficult. Thankfully, they'll be going back to school from tomorrow. Even on my days off, all I want is to sleep. But to help me unwind just before sleeping, I would try to binge watch some series or movie on netflix or youtube. On a good day when I'm not too tired, I like to play classic games like Zelda or Mario bro for nostalgia on the switch or just watch the kids play, occasionally joining in with them.

[CloudyVanilla]

I wake up early to steal our Switch and get my animal crossing time in ;) we are all big Nintendo players in our house, especially my nearly 5 year old daughter.

Definitely getting up earlier is the way I have gotten my me time in. Being off on mat leave it is always tempting, with no obligation to be up so early, to sleep until the kids wake up. But then it is all go until bed time and I'm too tired to do anything proper!