REVIEW: Working Mom's "Me Time" Twitter Party

When I joined twitter earlier this year, I never thought I would be using it to party. But, last night I did just that at the first ever "Working Mother Me Time Twitter Party" event hosted by Working Mother Magazine and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.

The event lasted one hour and encouraged us working moms to take this time as a break to figure out how to find a little "Me Time" in our busy schedules. Using tweets, moms (and some dads) shared their stories and thoughts on how to (or why they cannot) carve out some time just for themselves.

Working Mother Magazine asked a series of thought provoking questions to get everyone talking, laughing and relating:

- What do you do just for YOU?

- Is is easier to find time for yourself at home or away from home?

- What's the funniest "Me Time" thing you have ever done?

- Do you think your significant other or children understand or support your need for "me time"?

- What is the difference in the way or how often you spent "me time" before and after you had kids?

- What special "me time" activities do you do on business trips?

- What are your biggest fears about leaving home and taking a retreat?

- Describe the best solo or "girlfriend" retreat you have ever taken. What made it so special?

- Does holiday travel pose family stress or is it just fun?

- If you had an extra hour a day, what would you do for yourself?

I learned from the conversation that all of us are feeling stressed and are putting everything first before ourselves. But I also learned some moms and dads are squeezing out "me time" where they can. The success stories ranged from putting the kids to bed early (one parent said bedtime is 7pm!), to mini spa treatments, to lunches with friends, to reading and tweeting behind a locked bathroom door. The stories I heard made me remember one Mother's Day when I locked myself in my bedroom with my TV and remote as a present to myself - that was one of the best Mother's Day presents I ever had!

As parents, we all know that family time is very important. But tonight's conversation also brought out that family time has to be balanced with "me time".

The one question that really made me think was concerning my best "girlfriend retreat". The question made me realize that I have not had a girlfriend retreat since I became a mom because my friends and I have not made the time. Well, one lucky mom at the party will now have to make the time since she won the grand prize of the event - A special girlfriend retreat package courtesy of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.

This virtual party was a whole lot of fun. I learned good tips, heard many funny stories, made some new friends, and released the stress from my day. Thanks Working Mother Magazine and Country Suites. Let's do it again real soon.

By the way, the most popular answer to the last question "If you had an extra hour every day, what would you do for yourself?" was to take a hot bath or sleep. They both sound good, but I would have to add bargain shopping to that list!

(Graphic above from WorkingMother.com)