Staying at home is no joke, and I feel like that needs to be shouted from the mountaintops. I was a working mom with babe #1 and now home with #2. There are so many perks to staying home, but I was not prepared for the mental toughness of the job. Heck, I was a school counselor, I know mental toughness, but this one is different. You go from talking to adults all day to making conversation with a toddler; it can get lonely and play tricks on your adult brain. How do we do it everyday? And how about those who decide to quit the outside workforce to play boss to our littles? Here's how we survived - honestly, we are in survival mode most days :)
Get Creative
I am not one for staying at home all day long; we need to get out and see the world. We love checking out different parks, but you want to know our favorite? Sneaking into Pet Smart to see the fish, cats, and dogs being groomed. How is this creative? We don't have a pet. I think that makes it all the more exciting for my curious one - she could watch a dog get a haircut for at least an hour. Do it. It's like a free zoo. If you need to get out, take a walk and make it an adventure - point out shapes, colors, animals, etc. Your littles will love it.
Make New Friends
I've said it before that you have to let your mom guard down and get out there. So what if you may be in your 30s and you forgot what it's like to make friends?? Join a Bible study, a moms group, introduce yourself to moms at the park, or at your child's gymnastics/music class. It felt weird to me to do this so late in life, but it has been so rewarding. Make friends and follow up - these moms need you too!
Utilize Nap Time
Make nap time work FOR YOU. My daughter naps at least 2-2 1/2 hours a day. I like to do a household chore/duty for the beginning of the nap then MAKE SURE I get in some quiet time for me - read, write, pray, or catch up on a show. I am not a napper, so I find one of these things to clear my mind and get me ready for the little tornado's afternoon. Another great tip - make a daily chore chart. I complete one chore during nap - sweep, vaccuum, mop, clean bathrooms, etc. This way, I am not spending all of nap knee-deep in Clorox. And, I don't spend hours cleaning the whole house. I use this printable for my chores because the sweet girl below makes big messes.
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Find Something for YOU
This tip goes with the nap time advice. I've said it before, fitness is MY thing right now - lifting weights or running makes me feel stronger physically. But, when I think that I am almost 40, mom of two, and I can lift some weights and run kind of far?? I feel invincible, and I feel like ME (and peace out to my anxiety). Write in a journal, workout, take pictures, go back to school, volunteer - just do something that makes you feel like YOU. Sometimes the mom life takes over, and we forget who we are.
Be Supportive
Mom life is TOUGH. We are mentally exhausted more than anything. There is always something to think about or plan for - it's so darn exhausting. I've done the working mom gig as well as the SAHM thing - both are tough. We do not need to fight, bicker, or compare; these things just make it all so much harder. Instead, bring that tired mom a bottle of wine or even better - plan a night out (and keep the date!). We need each other, friends. No one knows a temper tantrum better than the next mom so support each other through it all.
If you could offer any new SAHM some advice, what would you say? Hang in there, mamas. Wherever you are.
Special thanks to my sweet, talented friend, Jennifer, for these great photos of my "employees." They make me nuts and happy all at once. Blessed, for sure. You can check out Jennifer's work here.
With Love,
Kim
Love the cleaning chart idea!!! I need this in my life!
ReplyDeleteIt's helpful! You know you just have ONE thing to clean per day. :) Thanks for reading, my friend!
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