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This is what we like to call that thing where you haven’t had to go outside for anything longer than a day (or so) and progressively it means you no longer want to! and so the mummy hermit cycle begins!

Avoiding the mummy hermit effect - You know what I mean! Where you haven't left the house in a few days & then you don't really feel like leaving at all anymore = the mummy hermit effect!I don’t remember this ever happening when I was childless so I am putting it down to parenthood!
Working from home and being lucky enough, not to have to commute (or really go anywhere if I don’t want to) means that I have to make a conscious effort to leave the house – if only for an hour or so with the bambino! whether it be a walk to the shops or the park.
Sure, we play games indoors and do fun crafts and activities (very car central at the moment) but that is no substitute for outside! and I find the less we go outside the less we want to ( it’s a slippery slope!)
Some weeks that are very rainy (or if we are hit by a bout of sickness) mean that we are indoors for a few days, or most of the week and when it clears up again it feels like a chore to go back out!
This happened most recently during half term! I had no netball *cries inside* and the little monster was sick for three days and barely did anything but cry and look sorry for himself (bless him) but this meant we barely did anything or went anywhere! I didn’t even get dressed out of my jammies for two of those days!

I have to remember that going outside is good for you!ย vitamin D (which you get from sunshine) aids in reducing depression and makes you happy (yay for happiness) so we try and make simple little changes if we start getting into the hermit cycle again!

3 Simple Ways We Avoid The Mummy Hermit Cycle

1. Plan something different

We try and make a break in our routine or do something different! try a new class or activity or even something simple like finding new outdoor games to play!

2. Meet up with someone

This is more for holding us accountable for being somewhere! Also, we get to see people in the process and have some fun outside of the house!

meet up with someone - Avoiding the mummy hermit effect
Meet up With someone!

3. Go for a walk

Sometimes it is just fresh air and sunshine that is all you need to remind you that there is a big bright world out there are you need to be a part of it! Plus you get some exercise in too! Win Win!

Sometimes life gets in the way and you can’t avoid staying in for a couple of days and it’s something I am definitely guilty of but I am working on it! I just have to remember to break the cycle and try to prevent it from happening again! *she says, still in her jimjams at 11am* (I’m a work in progress)

Have you ever been a mummy hermit? how do you break the cycle?

You may also be interested in the Parenting Index and the Parenting Pinterest Board

ย 3 simple ways to avoid the mummy hermit effect - it sounds too easy but they definitely help!

36 comments on “Avoiding The Mummy Hermit Effect”

  1. I have definitely have this behavior without children, but I think it’s a matter of work stress. I like what you detail, and I think these are great strategies for anyone. Who wouldn’t benefit from a nice walk?

  2. I try to do one of these at least once a day. Getting out at least once helps me to feel like I’ve been more productive with my day. But sometimes it’s nice to do nothing, too ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Thanks for the honesty! It’s so important to be able to find people who share this problem…

  4. I have fallen into that cycle before. It becomes much more difficult to do once you have an older child. I always found forcing myself to make plans with another mom was the best way to break the cycle.

  5. I realized here a while back that I was becoming a bit of a hermit. It didn’t really have anything to do with children, but I was at home and I went out with my husband one day and I realized that I hadn’t left the house in well over a week. That was too much for me.

  6. I’m not sure if I’ve experienced this, I think at one point I have but then again if you have a very active daughter you’re going to have to go outside. It’s important to break from this kind of habit.

  7. I work so I don’t see how I could ever avoid going outside! I guess if you are a stay at home mom it makes sense but I would go absolutely stir crazy. I need to get out of the house!

  8. So very true, especially when you have really little ones and it’s easier to just be inside and not have to get ready for the day. I made sure to schedule play dates that forced me out of the house!

  9. I have 7 kiddos, and work from home. To say I’m a hermit would probably be accurate. I don’t mind it though, I am not really one to be out and about much.

  10. i was just talking to someone about this! I feel like it is so hard to make time for friends as a mom because you get wrapped upon your head and forget about everything around you! These are great tips!

  11. Totally agree. It’s amazing how it happens without even realizing it! I’ve found a few mom friends with similar age babies, and we go on walks together with our strollers. It’s a great way to socialize and get fresh air at the same time!

  12. As a working stay at home Mom, I easily fall into this category sometimes. It’s a bad habit. I try to talk a walk!

  13. I’m guilty of this hermit style. Once Saturday hits I barely want to leave my bed. It’s so easy to get into relax mode and want to avoid everything. I’ll have to remember these tips next time I try to avoid going out.

  14. I totally get this. We also live up on the mountain a little ways from the city, so it makes it ever harder to want to get out!

  15. I actually get like this every now and then, especially since I’m a loner that enjoys spending time at home. There are days, however, where I just have to get out and enjoy the fresh air! ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. I remember when I was a new mom with my son, I was a total hermit. But I hate sitting around the house, so I used to take him to the mall or I would find local baby gym classes to take him to. Now he’s 6 and I work full time so I barely have time to see him anymore. I miss those days.

  17. I am so guilty of this. Especially as i have took on a contract recently which sees me working more from home alongside my blog. It’s tough to even get out of the house and as you say as each day passes the more it becomes a chore. I usually break the cycle by planning ahead. I meet up with people like you suggest and I make time for it in my week as part of my weekly plan. Knowing I have kinda pre-booked in a park visit, as silly as it sounds, makes me feel like I have to. And then I always feel better of going.

  18. I think for my as a single person I have only survived this because I have to go to work or have to visit boo otherwise I prefer indoors as I get older

  19. It’s been so tempting to half hibernate with the awful weather hasn’t it! I am so pleased the weather is warmer now. We have been spending time in the garden and at our local park – it’s no far but it’s nice to get some fresh air

  20. Wise words. A combination of stinkin’ weather and illness can make you go stir crazy. I think we all go through spells of it but it passes. Roll on spring!!

  21. Oh gosh I am the opposite! I have to get out every day – even if it just for a coffee somewhere! I actually need to be home a bit more. Kaz x

  22. I think I was so keen to avoid this that we ended up doing too much in my son’s preschool days. We had one day off activites a week, but often we’d end up doing something then too.

  23. I have to admit that I hate being cooped up in the house so get outside at every opportunity – I went stir crazy last week when Sebby was ill!

  24. I’ve been guilty of that, especially when they are young you feel like it takes so much effort to get them out the door. I used to have a double stroller and it was a pain to haul it around. Now of course they go out without me! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  25. I can definitely fall into this cycle if I’m not careful. I’ve found it easier since my baby became a toddler, as I find he has to go outside at least once a day or he goes a bit stir crazy! A walk is always a winner, or meeting up with my parents, or a trip to the park.

  26. Guilty I’m afraid! If not for our dog, I probably wouldn’t step outside apart from the school run. But you’re so right, we have to keep making an effort for some sort of normalcy in our lives. Went to the movies a few weeks ago with my mum friends and one of them said “We should keep doing this. It makes me feel like a “normal” person again” ๐Ÿ˜‰

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