Staying home to raise your children can be one of the best gifts you could ever give them – and yourself!
But when you’re in the middle of the day-to-day raising of young kids, it’s easy to lose sight of how wonderful it is to be a stay-at-home mom.
Once your baby’s born, women are often so engrossed in caring for their baby that they forget to care for themselves. Plus, the transition to being a stay-at-home mom can be difficult, especially if you’re used to the daily 9-to-5 grind.
Adopting a few habits as a stay-at-home mom can help you through the transition. You may not be able to do each one every day, and that’s okay! Consider them tools to help you do the very hard and rewarding work of raising your children.
How to Stay Sane as a Stay-At-Home-Mom
1. Set a flexible schedule.
A schedule is a vital tool in the life of a stay-at-home mom. However, every mom of small kids will tell you how hard it is to stay on schedule all of the time, so keep it flexible! Children thrive on routines. It gives them the peace of mind of knowing what’s coming next in their day.
A flexible schedule, or some basic routine, can do the same for you!
If your children are of school age, the several hours of free time you get can be scheduled to handle chores, visit friends, or enjoy some hobbies. Take it easy on the days when your schedule goes completely awry. It happens to the best of us, with or without kids!
2. Spend time outdoors.
Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you have to stay inside all day. Make time to go outside. Fresh air does wonders for your mental state, and sunlight helps boost your serotonin (feel-good hormone) levels. If your baby is too young to play outside, get them in a baby carrier and take a walk.
3. Make new friends.
Stay-at-home moms need a support system to help them through the lonely and challenging times. Ideally, you can find someone with children about the same age as yours, or older, so they can truly empathize with what you’re going through.
If your kids can play together, even better! But this is about you having a friend, momma, not just your kids.
www.scarymommy.com4. Talk to your partner.
It’s very difficult for your partner to understand why you’re stressed if you don’t tell them what’s going on. Your kids will let you know they’re unhappy with cries, screams, or meltdowns. Rarely will you get “Good job mom; I’m proud of you.” Before you start to feel overwhelmed, talk to him and let him know what’s bugging you. Be sure to listen when they have stressful things to share with you.
Remember to make time for each other. Feeling bonded with and supported by your partner can make all the difference in the world.
5. Take care of yourself.
When you become a stay-at-home mom, it may feel like all your time is taken over by your child/children. It is important that you take some time for yourself every now and then.
Watch your favorite show. Take a class. Visit the spa. At the very least, enjoy regular hot baths and pamper yourself.
These activities will give you time to spend with yourself and other adults. Being able to do something for yourself reminds you that you’re important too.
www.livingmombie.wordpress.com6. Be patient.
Making the transition to being a stay-at-home mom means starting something new. It also means you’ll require some time to adjust. You’ve probably seen photos of stay-at-home moms doing Pinterest-inspired crafts with impeccably-groomed kids in a sparkling clean house. Lies!
Childhood and motherhood are hectic, crazy, wacky, and amazing. Every stay-at-home mom has days when just taking a shower will be a feat.
It’s time to redefine success. Did you have a bath? Did the kids? Have they eaten? Are you dressed in a way that won’t be embarrassing if you have to run to the store? If you’ve answered yes to the above, you’re doing great!
Someday, before you realize it, the kids will be in school and you’ll have loads of free time on your hands. Savor the time you have with your little ones. It won’t last forever. You’ll miss the days when they wanted to spend every waking moment with you.
On the days when it all seems too overwhelming, peruse your pregnancy and baby’s newborn pictures and remind yourself why you chose to become a stay-at-home mom in the first place.
Are you a stay-at-home mom? What are some of the tips you can share with our readers?
First published at www.lifeasmama.com.
Featured image source: www.babywisemom.com
Step into Sue Brown's World of Baby Care, where you'll find a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom waiting to be explored. Sue's dedication to providing accurate and up-to-date information on baby care shines through in every article, blog post, and resource she shares. From newborn essentials to sleep training tips, breastfeeding advice to nurturing your baby's development, Sue covers a wide range of topics that are essential for every parent to know. Her warm and compassionate approach creates a sense of community and reassurance, making her website a safe haven for parents seeking guidance and support. Let Sue Brown be your partner in this beautiful journey of parenthood, as she empowers you to create a loving, nurturing, and thriving environment for your little one.
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