No ifs, no buts: eight parents reveal their Saturday non-negotiables

From scenic drives in the Lakes to scrapbooking and never missing a parkrun, these parents have made weekend me-time a certainty. Be inspired

Life is hectic. For most parents and carers, having a few hours a week to enjoy a bit of me-time without interruption can seem impossible. And yet, time alone – to pursue interests away from the demands of children or teens – can help reduce stress, prevent parental burnout and allow space to recharge. We meet eight parents who have found a way to take back time for themselves every Saturday, and are reaping mind and body benefits as a result.

Teacher Louise Boyce, 55, from Norwich, is mum to Jack, 24, Isaac, 22, Beatrice, 20, and Thomas, 18

As a mum of four children – two of whom still live at home – and currently carer to my husband, Richard, finding time for myself can be tricky. But one thing that is non-negotiable, is my Saturday morning parkrun with friends. As soon as I get into my car and head to the park we’ve chosen for that week, I relax, knowing that I have a couple of hours to concentrate on myself. The run is always followed by a coffee with my running friends for a catch up or to celebrate a birthday. I’ve been doing parkrun since 2016 and have done more than 250 timed runs with the community. I love the support system it provides, as well as the physical benefits. Parkrun is so entrenched in my routine now, and is so important for my mental health, that my weekend doesn’t officially start until I’ve had that me-time.

Tim Frier, 46, is a communications specialist from Preston. He’s dad to Layla, 16, and Noah, nine

I’m a big fan of music and I love discovering new bands. While it’s great that both my kids enjoy music too – and will come to gigs and festivals with me – I do like to listen to some artists on my own. So, on Saturdays, I’ll go for a drive and relax to my favourite tunes. I’m lucky enough to live near the Lake District, so the views while I drive are beautiful. If I get a few extra hours, I’ll tag on a walk too. This time alone is incredibly important, it allows me to clear my head after a hectic week and ease into the weekend. And sometimes I’ll come across a new song that I love, which gives me an extra mood boost.

Marketing professional Katherine Stephens, 47, from Ruislip, London, is mum to Otis, nine

Since having my son, I’ve made a lot of sacrifices: hair and nail appointments, a busy social life, and my annual gym membership. I was 100% all in for raising Otis, but it was a major shift. So, for my mental and physical wellbeing, I had to carve out time for exercise. It’s my sacred me-time – the one part of the week when I’m uninterrupted and can focus on myself. My Saturday mobility sessions, followed by a YouTube Hiit or dance workout help keep me grounded, mindful and slightly flexible. It’s non‑negotiable – so much so that I happily set my alarm for 6am on a Saturday before the rest of the house wakes up. These quiet few hours give me enough time to be me, before I slip back into my weekend roles of chauffeur, entertainer, educator, and most importantly, best mum ever.

Hanni Lawrie, 30, is a banking service supervisor from Edinburgh. She’s mum to Rosie, three, and Harris, one

When our first child was born, my husband, Craig, and I found it hard to make time for ourselves, and we learned the hard way how important me-time is for our personal wellness. I really wasn’t prepared for how easy it is to lose parts of yourself when everything revolves around a baby’s routine. Second time around, we’ve been much more intentional about setting aside time on the weekends, so we can each do something for ourselves while the other is with the kids. For me, that is my Saturday Lagree [a high intensity workout] class, followed by coffee in a local cafe to read a book. It makes such a difference to how I parent. I used to feel quite overwhelmed and overstimulated, but taking a little time for myself helps me feel more relaxed and patient with my kids.

Klaire Jones, 50, from Marlborough, in Wiltshire, is stay-at-home mum to Anna, 14, and Bella, 19

I gave up work to have my children and scrapbooking has been one thing I’ve not stopped doing for myself. It’s a way of keeping memories – physical ephemera of photos, tickets, handwritten notes and bits and bobs I’ve collected. When the girls were little, it allowed me some quiet time to intentionally enjoy the precious memories we were making, while switching off from the world. There’s no right or wrong way of doing it, and no rules, which can be incredibly calming and relaxing. There’s a sense of achievement when you finally fill your book up – even if it might take me a year, or more. These days, I’m fortunate enough to have my own craft room, where I can lock myself away on a Saturday and enjoy this tangible pastime, in what is very much a digital world.

Company director Dharminder Gulati, 43, from Wolverhampton, is dad to Kavan, 14 and Jashan, 10

My boys play county-level cricket, which means driving them to matches and coaching sessions almost every day during the week. By the time the weekend rolls around, I need some time for myself. On a Saturday, I drop them off for a two-hour practice session in a nearby town. I used to make the 40-minute journey home and then back again to pick them up, but I now head straight to a nearby nature reserve for a relaxing walk. If the weather is bad, I use that time to sit in the car and meditate, do breathing exercises or read a book. It’s great for my mental health and really chills me out for the rest of the weekend. I’ve carried this practice into the off-season too, and while the boys chill at home, I’ll drive to a nearby walking trail to get some time for myself.

Sheila Corrigan, 45, from Sutton, London, works in recruitment advertising and is mum to Sienna, seven

My daughter has started attending a performing arts school on a Saturday, which means I have a few hours all to myself to catch up on my favourite politics, finance or comedy podcasts. As soon as I drop her off, I put a podcast or audiobook on in the car for the journey home, and instantly go into relaxation mode. I’ll then carry on listening as I potter around the house doing home improvements, or while I sit down for a hot drink. Shutting off from the world is essential for me – it makes me feel in control, rather than being controlled.

Oli Boles, 40, from near Ottery St Mary, in Devon, is owner of Tale Wood, a furniture making company. He is dad to Jack, six, and Nina, four

I discovered climbing in my mid 20s when I was working as an archaeologist in Nairobi, and ever since, I’ve loved the combination of problem-solving, fitness and competition with myself that it brings. I’ve climbed all over the world and before I had children, I would climb three or more times a week – both outdoors and on indoor walls. Obviously, with young kids there are periods where it’s difficult to get out to climb, so I’ve built a climbing wall on our family farm, which means it’s easier to steal away for a few hours, especially on a Saturday. It’s time for me to be briefly, but completely, self-indulgent – and I love climbing for its pointlessness. As much as I love being a dad, climbing is one of the only things left from my leisurely, selfish former life.

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