1. If there's something I really want to get done around the house, I ask a friend to 'baby watch' instead of babysit. I can work on a sewing project or do some scrapbooking without constant interruptions, yet I am still spending time with baby. I especially like to do home improvement projects with a baby watcher, because that way my daughter gets to see mommy doing all kinds of things around the house (like plumbing or wiring), but in a safe way. I want her to know that girls can do anything, and I think it's healthy for her to learn that mommy needs her own time also.

2. Going to the movies use to be my favorite thing to do, but now it just gives me 'mommy guilt', because I have to take time away from my child during the day when my sitter is available. Plus, it's expensive. Now I let myself 'rent' one pay-per-view movie on a weekend evening; I make popcorn and try out a variety of flavored salts each week, which tastes way better than the stale greasy theater stuff. And my child is upstairs sleeping, so there's no mommy guilt. My cable service often has 'Weekend Sales', where a selection of films are only $1.99, and I can almost always find something I'd enjoy.

3. In the summer in Southern U.S., where I live, instead of going through the hassle of packing up a zillion things, loading baby into the hot car, and driving to the nearest pool where we'll have to deal with screaming children and lukewarm pee water, we now get out the garden hose and fill a small, inexpensive inflatable pool in the backyard. It only takes minutes, and is cool and quiet and peaceful. More importantly, all the comforts of home are steps away!