How to Find “Me Time” as a Parent — Without the Guilt
Compassionate Counseling in St. Louis Can Help You Beat Burnout
Parenting can be joyful, exhausting, overwhelming, and wonderful—sometimes all in the same day. And in the middle of it all, finding time for you can feel impossible. Whether you’re coordinating summer camps, juggling school drop-offs, or managing the emotional ups and downs of little ones, it’s easy to put your needs last.
At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we work with so many parents—especially moms—who feel torn between caring for their kids and caring for themselves. Through individual therapy and our parent coaching program, we help parents learn how to prioritize self-care, reduce guilt, and build a more sustainable rhythm at home.
What Does “Me Time” Really Look Like?
Recently, I spoke with Channel 4 here in the St. Louis about the importance of moms taking me time; what that means, what that looks like, and why it feels so insurmountable sometimes to fit it in and prioritize yourself!
Here’s the truth: Me time doesn’t have to mean a spa day or a solo weekend getaway—though those sound lovely! It can be small, meaningful moments that help you reset:
15 quiet minutes to read a book
A walk around the block while listening to your favorite playlist
A solo Target run with a coffee in hand
A few deep breaths in the car before going back inside
The key is asking yourself: What helps me feel like myself again? That’s your version of me time.
Image Credit: Unsplash, Andraz Lazic @andrazlazic
What If I Don’t Have a Village?
We hear this often in counseling sessions: “I’d love to take a break, but I don’t have help.” If your support system is limited, it’s even more important to get creative.
Trade off with your partner or co-parent, even for short stretches
Ask a trusted neighbor or friend for a quick swap
Use screen time intentionally to take a moment for yourself
Give yourself 10 minutes of quiet after bedtime, even if the dishes wait
It’s not selfish to take care of yourself—it’s necessary.
How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Self-Care
A lot of parents—especially moms—feel guilty when they take time for themselves. But burnout is real. And when you’re burned out, you’re more likely to be short-tempered, disconnected, and overwhelmed. That affects everyone in your family.
So here’s a reframe:
Self-care isn’t indulgent. It’s an investment in your ability to show up for your family.
In our parent coaching sessions, one thing I often tell moms and dads is this: Your needs matter too. When your kids see you setting boundaries and honoring your limits, they learn that it’s okay to take care of themselves, too. That’s not selfish—that’s a life skill.
Ready for More Support?
Whether you're struggling with burnout, mom guilt, or just need help figuring out your parenting rhythm, you're not alone. At Compassionate Counseling St. Louis, we offer therapy and parent coaching tailored to your family's needs. Let’s help you create space for more calm, more connection, and yes—more you time.
Reach out to schedule a session or learn more about our services for kids, teens, young adults, and parents.
Curious to learn more about how Compassionate Counseling St. Louis can help you find your “Me Time”? Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As child anxiety experts, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. We also provide online therapy Missouri wide to teens and college students. You can set up your first free consult on this website, on our consultation page.
