Looking for fun hobbies for moms? It’s easy to lose your own identity when you become a mom. Here are some hobbies I’ve picked up in the past few years that have really helped me regain a sense of self after having my twins.
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The Need for Hobbies for Moms
Having children is a wonderful thing but it’s easy to lose our own identity when we have children, as our lives completely revolve around them. I felt this when I became a parent the first time and even more when I had twins.
It’s necessary to focus on kids when they’re babies especially but as they become more independent, it’s important that we do as well. Having something other than ‘just being a mom’ as my brain tends to put it, so wrongly, is really important to our sense of self-worth and overall happiness in life.
Though it may seem like you don’t have time for a hobby right now or you’re not sure where to start, I was even able to find pockets of time to start hobbies when my twins were 1 and my oldest was 3.
You can do it too, mama! You got this!
Crafting with a Cricut
I LOVE my Cricut Maker that I got in April with my birthday money. Holy cats it is awesome! So far I’ve just made really cool cards and neat flowers with it but I’ll get into making vinyl rub ons for signs, mugs, whatever I want to put it on. I also plan on getting into making t-shirts for the kids and maybe even Brian and I if I think of some good ideas.
Below are pictures of my Cricut Maker. Isn’t she pretty?!
I’ve always wanted a Cricut but back in the day when I was really big into scrapbooking the Cricuts had cartridges that were clunky and expensive when you think of how little you could do with them. I remember going to the store and there was one cartridge for letters of a certain font, another one if I wanted to make cutouts for vacation, another one for graduation cutouts, etc. Everything had its own cartridge.
Now it’s all online! Of course, right? It’s so much easier to create now and we can even make custom designs. The kids LOVE the mascot at Brian’s work so recently he made a pop up card for our eldest’s bday from the mascot. So exciting!
I have to say though, of course, I waited how many years to get a Cricut and not even 2 months after I FINALLY buy one, they come out with an even better one!! At the time I bought mine, the Cricut Maker was the best one they had. It had the most features and was the easiest to use. Now they have one that doesn’t even require the cutting mats and can work with more materials, etc. Though part of me is sad that this happened, I do love the creations I’ve made so far and honestly don’t plan on producing on a large scale so don’t need the new one but just a bit disappointing is all.
Below is the toolbox Father’s Day card I made for my husband. It was labor-intensive but worth it!!
I still love it though and am excited to make even more fun creations with it!! I’m finally getting into making t-shirts for the boys and vinyl creations. Pretty soon everything might be labeled, much to my hubby’s dismay. Haha!
Fun Shirts & More Made with my Cricut
Here are some of the shirts I’ve made for the kids, some removable vinyl sayings, and other fun stuff. There is so much I can do with this thing!
In 2024 my original Cricut Maker stopped powering on easily so I upgraded to a Cricut Maker 3! It’s been great, even more fun as it’s quicker and quieter. Years later I still love using my Cricut to make things for the kids, for myself, things to sell, and more!
Journaling
Hobbies don’t have to be a whole big thing, require a lot of supplies or a lot of time. They can be as simple as writing down your thoughts.
My grandmother journaled every day of her life. She passed in 2012 and now those journals are at my parents’ house. It’s nice to be able to look back at when certain things happened, and how she felt about things. I don’t journal daily but especially if I’m feeling out of sorts I find that journaling really helps me work through things.
Journaling can either be a record of what has happened during the day like my grandma did, or writing down the frustrations or working out problems on paper that you can’t seem to work out in your head, like I do.
I prefer spiral bound journals so the page can lay flat as I write, but any type of journal will do. Below is a spiral bound lined journal that I have and really like.
Package includes: 3 abstract quicksand spiral notebooks, single-sided printing.
Cover: Brightly colored abstract quicksand is used as the main body of the design. The font of the notebook is bronzing. The cover is made with thick cardboard and high-end materials, which can not only protect the inner pages but also waterproof. The edges are designed with more humane rounded corners.
Pages: The size 5.5x8.3 inches/14x21cm is portable, and 80 quality sheets are used to avoid ink spreading and leakage.
Journaling for Self Care
Looking for some prompts to get you started with journaling? The Self Care Journal and Workbook is the perfect tool to help you practice self-care and self-love. With over 30 pages, this journal and workbook will help you prevent burnout and maintain your wellness.
Reading for Knowledge or Pleasure
To be honest, I did not like reading while growing up. We watched A LOT of TV in my house so my brain was conditioned to prefer moving pictures to stationary text.
However, throughout my years of education and research, I had to read so many research reports, text books, and more that I ended up being able to read more quickly which has served me well to this day.
As much as I love technology, there is something to be said about reading a book. I go back and forth between reading physical, paper books, and ebooks. Either way, reading is a great thing to do to keep your brain active and transport you to another time.
In 2020 I read 28 books which was the most I’ve ever read in a year. This year I set a goal of 30 books and we’re only halfway through the year and I’ve reached that goal. Though I do have to say, a handful of them were audiobooks but still. I don’t plan on stopping since I reached my goal though, I plan on doubling it!! (In 2023 I didn’t read nearly as much as I was much more focused on my blog).
I really love reading for fun and also reading to learn, of course. I also love listening to audiobooks when I’m cleaning, doing the dishes, when the kids are eating lunch, etc. I love them so much I wrote a blog post about them, haha!
The picture below shows the 30 books I’ve read so far this year. Currently, I’m reading the paperback edition of My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Kindle edition of How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute by K.J. Dell’Antonia, and listening to A Promised Land by Pres. Barack Obama (with him narrating…it’s amazing!!)
If you ever want to keep up with what I’ve read click on “my read shelf” below.
my read shelf:
If you want to see what I’m currently reading, you can click on “currently reading” below 🙂
Not into Reading? Try Audiobooks!
Over the years of motherhood I’ve come to love audiobooks. I can listen to a book to learn something new or get lost in a novel, all while doing the dishes, going for a walk with the kids, or whatever I need to be doing.
I tend to have just one earbud in so I can listen to the audiobook while still being able to hear my kids if/when they need me. There ends up being a lot of pausing the audiobook when my kids need me but that’s alright, my headphones make it easy to pause with just a touch of my finger to the earbud.
Click the image below to read my full blog post about audiobooks, including some of my favorite audiobooks so far!
Painting for Fun – No Experience Required
Alright, this one I haven’t been doing as much lately. I’ve been keeping so busy with everything else that I haven’t gotten my painting supplies out lately. I do still love it though and will get back into it soon, I’m sure.
It’s so fun to paint, even though I’ve noticed that when I’m not watching a class or looking at a photo I don’t do the best job. It’s still fun though and something I should start doing more of!
Here is a link to my previous post about painting: How I Started Painting for Fun & How You Can Too!
Gardening
I started gardening for the first time at the age of 35. My parents gave me gardening tools for a birthday a while back and I had used them a little bit, but not much. Being stuck at home and having 3 boys who love to be outside, I found myself wanting something to do while they play.
I started by pulling weeds and eventually planted some daffodil bulbs that to my surprise, actually flowered the next Spring! I’ve found gardening to be a great way to connect with the Earth and actually see the fruits of my labor!
Blogging
I’m loving having this blog to help others and also as an outlet. I didn’t realize how much I missed writing until I started up again! It’s been fun writing the posts about product recommendations as well, those are neat! My favorite blog posts are the ones from the heart though about things I’ve been through, even though often they are difficult to write.
Since I started this blog, loosely, in November of 2020 til publishing this the first time on June 24, 2021, I have published 58 posts and have another 17 in the works. I had thought that writing a blog post would take a couple hours, at most, but I was wrong. There are so many distractions, like kids and other things, that come up and often times I rewrite a time or two before I publish. That’s just part of the process and is typical but I don’t have the volume of posts I thought I would. I’ll get there though.
The nice thing is it’s on my own terms. Yes, I’m writing in hopes of helping others with the various things I’ve been through and such but I don’t have to write anything I don’t want to. I don’t have to write on a particular topic if I don’t want to. And I don’t have anyone waiting for me to write. I just do what I want, which is hard to find in life!
As I’m updating this post in 2024, I’ve written hundreds of blog posts and spent hundreds of hours researching everything to do with blogging. I still love it though at this point it’s more of a business than a hobby, at least as far as the IRS is concerned since I’m now an LLC 🙂
Other Hobbies
There are SO many different hobbies out there that can be done even while caring for small children. I have picked ones I can do at home but there are PLENTY more that can be done away from the home such as fitness clubs, hanging out with friends, painting classes with friends, game nights with friends, and so much more. Whatever you choose, do something you enjoy!
As a mom of identical twins and a son two years older, I have gained invaluable experience in the realm, and chaos, of parenting. With a Master's Degree and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology, I spent years as a school psychologist, helping children navigate through their educational and emotional challenges. Now as a stay at home mom and professional blogger, I combine my areas of expertise to help you in your parenting journey.