After being a working mom for the last few years, life has changed a bit and I’m trying my hand at being a stay at home mom. I’d heard from my friends that being a stay at home mom wasn’t a job for the weak. My friends weren’t lying. I’m more tired as a stay at home mom than I ever was when I worked outside the home. I think it’s because I have way more physical labor now. Instead of sitting behind a desk, I am hauling my kids around, in and out of car seats and shopping carts as we head off on our daily adventures.
It’s a different grind. As a working mom, I had stresses and feelings of guilt. I still have issues as a stay-at-home-mom, they’ve just changed. I just felt the need to clarify that because I’m not on board with the whole mom wars thing. I don’t think more highly of one over the other. Motherhood is hard. Period.
I’ve learned a few things after almost a year at home with the kids. Here are my top five ways for surviving as a stay at home mom.
1 – Have a plan!
My day would not work if I didn’t have a plan of what I wanted to do with the kids each day. My kids can get a little stir crazy and need activity and routine. I have to keep that in mind when I’m planning our week or none of us are happy.
2 – Respect the nap
I can’t just keep going with what I’d like to do if it’s going to cut into their nap time. If their routine is off too much, so is their behavior. Let’s just say I learned this the hard way… a few times.
3 – Meal planning saves sanity
Along with planning our day, I try to plan our meals.. all of them. Many times, I pack our lunches so that we can have a picnic at times or just be ready with food if we’re still out at lunch time. Dinner is always planned too so that I’m not doing that last minute panic when it’s time to eat.
4 – Talk to adults
I have found that calling my friends at some point during the day is essential. It’s just nice to have adult conversations. Many times, it’s flat outt necessary.
5 – Have something for yourself
It’s critical for me to have something that’s just for me. It helps if it’s something I’m passionate about. I’m used to working outside the home full time and I had to create something for me to continue to have that part of myself. Part of that is my blog, the other is this space. When I get a few hours to myself, I work on my projects and when I’m done it’s like I’ve been re-fueled. That boost makes me a better wife and mama. Win win!
What about you? What are your secrets for making mommyhood work?
34 Comments on 5 Tips for Rocking SAHM (ommyhood)
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
It was a long learning process for me, but taking daily breaks helped me A LOT. I leave the house to workout every single day and it’s what gets me through.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…Bonding Over the Dinner Table
I have to take time for myself! I have two little ones- the blog has become my escape- and my safe haven!
Carly from The Puzzled Palate recently posted…The Puzzled Palate Poll!
GREAT post! I’ve been a stay at home dad for 13 years, and these are all so true. One thing I learned with naps was to never ever change what was going on in the house. The kids learned to sleep through music, television, vacuums, and barking dogs. Oh, it was crappy for the first few days, but they adapted quickly, and I didn’t have to wait around for them to wake up to get my stuff done.
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy recently posted…Family Fun At Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe #sponsored
I think routine is the answer. Nice post.
Debbie Denny recently posted…Pine Mountain Theater! âEurekaâ in Eureka Springs!
Great post. You MUST take time for yourself everyday. You’ll loose your mind if you don’t.
Marina recently posted…How taking your immunizations at Walgreens can save lives.
Mine is having a routine. Know what’s expected but still be flexible enough to go with the flow when things come up.
Debra recently posted…Go Grocery Shopping & Earn Points To Get FREE Stuff For Your School With #Labels4Edu {#cbias}
Meal-planning was definitely one of my biggest sanity savers. It saved so much “what do you want to eat?” “I don’t know what do you want to eat” conversation.
Loved reading this post! I don’t have kids yet but plan on being a SAHM.
All of these are very good tips. I know my biggest challenge was keeping a routine. My son is a teenager and to this day he still likes us to have a routine.
These are all great tips. I know the hardest thing for me was sticking to our routine. My son is a teenager and to this day he still wants us to stick to a routine.
I’ve always been a working mom but have a lot of respect for SAHM. Being a mom is just hard work regardless of how you do it!
Routine and taking time for yourself. I always plan something each day for me!
Yes, yes, and yes to all of this. I feel like I don’t know how to have an adult conversation anymore. I took forward to late night grocery shopping by myself, it’s like a little vacation to me that my husband will never understand.
Janel (A Mom’s Take) recently posted…Beginner’s Guide to Potty Training
I have to talk to adults or I start to lose my sanity. Getting exercise outside is important too
Christie recently posted…Effortless Meals for Busy School Nights + Coke Rewards
Great tips. I am a work at home, sometimes I get work done, sometimes I do not. This means Summer vacation – I become Stay at home Mom with very little time to work. I love being home though, I get so many things done and I love working with blogs and clients. Thanks for sharing this, was a fun read!
Brandy recently posted…{Wordless Wednesday} Random Photos of Family Moments #ww Linky
I plan my life around my toddler’s nap schedule! It is hilarious but so worth it.
krystalskitsch recently posted…Chicken Salad with Apple Pico de Gallo Recipe
My husband wonders why I’m so tired when I work from home. It’s not easy!
Emily recently posted…Updated Family Photos With Our Family of Five!
It is a lot of working being a stay at home mom. I think a lot of people still think we stay at home and eat bon bons.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted…Keep those toilet bowls clean
I did the SAHM thing for a very short time but it was really boring for me – because my daughter was in school all day! LOL! I give the slow clap to SAHMs with littles underfoot, that’s a tough job!
Jenn @TheRebelChick recently posted…Everything You Need for Your College Dorm Room
Im not a mother so I have no personal advice. What I will say is my mom was a stay-at-home mom but she also become a home daycare provider so I guess for someone who isnt getting paid and wants to have their own source of income while at home, dont be afraid to get a stay-at-home job too!
Kiwi recently posted…{Celeb Spotlight} ABC’s Carla Hall Hosts @Bounty’s Power Meet Up for Oprah’s Atlanta #LifeYouWantTour
I liked to get up early every day so that I had some quiet time just for me to energize before the kids got up. That me time was important!
Liz Mays recently posted…How To Pack Like a Pro
I really need to work on #4! I can’t tell you how much I agree with #5! That is one thing I love about my blog too! That and my photography are just for me. Something to keep me in touch with myself and not just as wife & Mommy.
I try to make lists so that everything that has to get done does. Sometimes I do nothing at all. LOL It’s ok too!
Candy O recently posted…What’s Cooking Wednesday with Linky 29
Those phone calls to friends really are important. I appreciate those as well.
Rosey recently posted…#Win an Original Oil Painting of Your Pet!
I keep threatening to get a job because the SAHM life no joke. I keep it together by having other friends who I can talk to that understand my issues.
Kendra recently posted…Grub Burger Bar Review
We’re transitioning this month and both of my girls are attending school. I’ve been home for four years and it was quite and adjustment. Just when I started getting into my groove it ended. c’est la vie.
Tonia recently posted…Khloe Kardashian Dishes on @Hairfinity Hair Vitamins & Beauty Secrets
Great post! I love being a SAHM but it is very tough most days!
Amanda recently posted…I love a good birthday party and a fantastic Beatrix Girl Birthday Party Giveaway
I couldn’t agree more! #1 and #5 are totally essential for my sanity!! 🙂
Lane recently posted…How I Discovered the Best Job Ever (After Walking Away from My Career)
This is great, I remember going weeks without talking to adult when the kids were infants… a moms group ended up saving my sanity.
Katrina recently posted…Save on Clean and Clear plus Enter to Win a $50 Walmart Gift Card! #CleanandClearWM
I was a stay at home mom for 7 years. It was a challenging time yet I would not trade it. It was wonderful time.
My friends always rag me about it, but NOTHING and I mean nothing stops nap time around here. If my kids don’t get a nap they will have a meltdown! Even my 10 year old still needs naps sometimes. Kids get tired, and when they are tired they are NO fun! Great post!
Shasta Walton recently posted…Your Guide To Skin Care Essentials
Talking to adults is so important. I am only home during the summer and I value adult conversations.
I 100% agree. I’ve also done both and I’m not sure which is harder – working Mom or SAHM (with a business). They’re both tough, for different reasons.
One tip I’d add is to get help. Whether that’s a family member to babysit, hiring someone to help clean your house, eating take-out once a week, or whatever help you can find on your budget. It’s not worth trying to do it all on your own!
sally recently posted…Discover The Key Ingredients To Creating A Website That Converts
This is great. Being a SAHM is not easy, but it sure feels wonderful to be able to spend a lot of time with your kids.