Juggling Parenthood and Personal Passions: How to Make Time for Yourself

Being a parent is a full-time job. Between school runs, meal prep, playdates, and the endless cycle of laundry, it often feels like there’s little time left for yourself. Yet, nurturing your own passions and hobbies is just as important as fulfilling your parental duties. In fact, when you make time for the things that light you up, it benefits both you and your family.

Here’s how to find a balance between nurturing your passions and fulfilling your responsibilities as a parent, because you deserve time to follow your dreams too!

1. Recognize the Importance of Self-Care
The first step in making time for yourself is realizing that it’s not selfish. Taking care of your personal needs, whether it’s pursuing a hobby, exercising, or simply relaxing, is essential for your mental and emotional well-being. A well-rested, happy parent is a better parent. When you’re feeling fulfilled in your own life, you’ll have more energy and patience to give to your family.

Tip: Start small by setting aside 10-15 minutes each day for yourself. It can be as simple as enjoying a cup of tea, reading a book, or doing a quick meditation. Little moments of “me time” can add up!


2. Schedule Your Passions Into Your Calendar
As a parent, your calendar is likely packed with commitments, but that doesn’t mean your personal passions should take a backseat. Instead of waiting for free time to magically appear, schedule time for yourself just like you would a doctor’s appointment or playdate. Treat your passions as non-negotiable, even if it’s just for a short amount of time.

Tip: Use a weekly planner or digital calendar to block out specific times for activities you enjoy. Whether it’s an evening workout, a creative hobby, or a quiet hour for reading, putting it on your calendar makes it real and keeps it a priority.


3. Set Realistic Expectations
It’s important to acknowledge that you may not have as much time for your personal passions as you did pre-parenthood, and that’s okay! Be realistic about what you can accomplish. You don’t need hours of uninterrupted time to pursue your passions. Instead, focus on small, achievable goals that fit into your current schedule.

Tip: Start with bite-sized goals: perhaps you can write one paragraph a day for a book, learn one new recipe a week, or dedicate 15 minutes each day to painting or drawing. The key is consistency, not perfection.


4. Involve Your Kids in Your Passions
Being a parent doesn’t mean you have to completely separate your passions from family life. Many hobbies can be shared with your kids, creating quality bonding time while still allowing you to nurture your own interests. Whether it’s cooking, crafting, or gardening, invite your children to join in on activities that align with your passions.

Tip: Turn your hobby into a family project. If you love painting, set up an art station for everyone to create together. If you enjoy baking, teach your kids to make their favorite treats. You’ll nurture your passions and your connection with your family at the same time.


5. Find Support in Your Partner or Community
Balancing your personal passions with parenting responsibilities can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a solid support system. It’s essential to communicate with your partner or family members about the need for personal time. You can also lean on friends, neighbors, or a local parenting group to help with childcare or share responsibilities.

Tip: Create a system where both you and your partner can take turns having time for yourselves. Even a few hours each week to focus on your passions will help you feel more balanced.


6. Embrace the Power of "Sacred" Time
For many parents, "sacred" time can be an important ritual; whether it’s the quiet moments before the house wakes up or a few hours on the weekend when you’re free to pursue your passions. Recognize when you have this time and protect it. By consciously embracing these small windows of opportunity, you allow yourself to tap into the creative and peaceful space needed to fuel your soul.

Tip: Set a “sacred time” each week to enjoy your passions without interruption. It could be early mornings, evenings after the kids are asleep, or weekend afternoons.


7. Let Go of Guilt
Guilt is one of the biggest obstacles that many parents face when pursuing their own passions. It’s easy to feel like you should be spending every waking moment with your kids, but it’s important to remember that having a balance is healthy for both you and your children. When you take care of your own well-being, you are setting an example of self-love and boundaries for your kids, teaching them the importance of balance in life.

Tip: Give yourself permission to take a break without guilt. Remember that your passions are part of who you are and nurturing that part of you makes you a better parent.


8. Be Flexible and Adapt
Life with kids is unpredictable, and sometimes things won’t go as planned. Don’t let this deter you from continuing to prioritize your passions. Be adaptable and open to changing your routine or finding new ways to pursue your interests when things get busy. Flexibility is key to maintaining balance in the ever-changing landscape of parenthood.

Tip: If a planned time for your hobby doesn’t work out, find smaller pockets of time throughout the day. You can do a creative project during nap time or listen to a podcast during car rides.


Juggling parenthood and personal passions is an ongoing balancing act, but it’s possible with the right mindset and a bit of planning. Remember, making time for yourself is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. By prioritizing your own well-being and passions, you can show up as a more present, patient, and fulfilled parent. So go ahead, carve out time for what makes you happy. Your family will thank you for it.