As a mom to three rambunctious boys, I have a system when it comes to grocery shopping [1]. I will take my kids if I'm getting a few items, but for larger trips, I insist on going alone. Grocery stores can be a parenting battle ground. There have been countless times I've been stuck in long lines with a crying baby or fit-throwing toddler [2]. I've been subjected to unsolicited advice [3] and grumpy gazes from elderly shoppers, or spent way more than I should because I'm distracted or just doing whatever necessary to make it out of the store before I lose my sanity. In short, I've learned that shopping solo whenever possible is the best choice for me. That does not, however, mean that it is a "break" or "me time [4]."
Meal planning [5], coupon downloading, and shopping are things I do for my family, but they're not fun for me. Preparing for and cooking dinner [6] every night is work, and so is purchasing the ingredients (and everything else that our family of five needs). I've noticed that among other mom friends, a lot of their breaks are really just running errands that need to be done with the "luxury" of being able to do them alone. I did the same thing for many years as a new mom. My husband would take his break by going fly-fishing and my break would be running to the store to get whatever groceries we needed for the week while he watched the kids. I don't do that anymore.
I'm fortunate to have a husband who is an equal partner [8] in parenting our kids, but I found myself growing resentful that he would return from his personal time happy and refreshed, whereas I felt like I was on a hamster wheel forever spinning. So, I promised myself that I would make more time to do what fed my soul and made me happy [9] during my downtime.
It hasn't been easy. I had gotten so used to putting my needs last that I found I felt somewhat lost and even selfish doing something that I wanted to do, but then I started to remember who I was before becoming a mother, and that is a beautiful thing. Remembering my hobbies [10] and taking time to "fill my cup" when it's running empty has ultimately made me a more patient, and all-around better, mom.
Does going to the store by yourself feel good when you're a mom? Absolutely! But for me, it does not count as "me time."