One mother [1] of five stressed how sneaking in a few minutes of me time can seem next-to-impossible, but is vital to being a better parent on those days that never seem to end in a sweet Instagram photo [2].

After getting up at 5 a.m. to take care of her newborn baby, Nicole Snyder knew it was time to start her day — and first things first: she "physically and mentally" needed to take a shower.

Once the water was running for a few minutes, she heard her husband knocking at the door asking when she was going to be done, but he didn't get the answer he was looking for.

"I was taking this time for myself," she said. "I couldn't fill anyone else's cup and be the mom and wife they need unless I'm OK. It wasn't selfish to shave my legs and actually wash and repeat with my shampoo. It was necessary."

After Snyder finally got out of the shower, she was met with a fussy baby, but that didn't stop her from finishing her routine.

"I could've scooped her up and forgone the rest of my out of the shower routine, but she was OK," she explained. "So I laid her on the floor next to me. Did my R+F routine. Combed my hair. Got dressed. THEN I hugged and snuggled and kissed on her."

The takeaway here? Doing a little something for yourself goes a long way when you're a mom, and there's no reason to feel guilty for taking a moment for yourself now and again.

"I felt human again. Recharged. And she was fine. So if any of what I've said hit home with you, fill your cup," said Snyder. "If it's saying 'no' to something, taking a shower or aimlessly walking around Target [3] alone; do what you need to do to be the best you!"