I became a stay at home mom on accident. I instantly rushed and tried to find a job when I lost my job. I thought there was NO WAY I could be a stay at home mom. I knew I wanted to, but way down the road. This one kind of came out of nowhere.
However, I was pregnant. Visibly pregnant. So finding a job was difficult. After I had my daughter, I sort of grew to enjoy staying home and had just started this blog. So I just went with it.
But, as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. Working mom seem to want to stay home and stay at home moms seem to want to have jobs (not all the time though). I get it. I’ve been on both sides. With staying home often times comes what I call the Stay At Home Mom Blues. I have compiled a list of things to do to beat the Stay At Home Mom Blues.
Wake up before your kids.
This one may sound ridiculous but trust me, it’s worth it. I have shows that I like to watch that have been DVR’d and I used to watch them on my lunch break. Well now that I stay home, lunch breaks do not exist because my oldest gave up napping 1.5 years ago. So I wake up when my husband leaves for work (around 6am) and knock out my shows then. My true happy place is on the couch, watching my shows, with my hot cup of coffee before the kids wake up. It truly makes me feel great about my day starting because I’ve already accomplished something before the kids are up and I’ve gotten in my trashy TV.
Do something for YOURSELF that brings in money.
Yes, this includes direct sales. You may seem them as annoying, obnoxious posts, but think about what they mean to the seller. They mean swim lessons, basketball practice, zoo trips, lunches together. And they are people that believe in the products. No, this is not a pitch for your to join my Rodan + Fields or 31 team – go join someone else’s if you want. I don’t care. I just know that I love having something for myself that brings money in. It makes me feel a lot less guilty about taking the kids to the train restaurant for lunch every now and then. You could also sign up at rover.com to walk dogs, post on garage sale pages to get out and do odd jobs around people’s houses, grocery shop for seniors, etc.
Yes, this includes direct sales. You may seem them as annoying, obnoxious posts, but think about what they mean to the seller. They mean swim lessons, basketball practice, zoo trips, lunches together. And they are people that believe in the products. No, this is not a pitch for your to join my Rodan + Fields or 31 team – go join someone else’s if you want. I don’t care. I just know that I love having something for myself that brings money in. It makes me feel a lot less guilty about taking the kids to the train restaurant for lunch every now and then. You could also sign up at rover.com to walk dogs, post on garage sale pages to get out and do odd jobs around people’s houses, grocery shop for seniors, etc.
Join mom groups.
I used to think I had no need for mom groups. “I have my own friends. I don’t need more.” Well, I was wrong. Some of my friends were in different places in life. So someone added me to a mom group after Dylan was born. At first, it was just a place where I would ask a question, then I planned on leaving. 3 years later, these girls are my saviors (along with my “real life” friends..haha). It is a nice place to go at the end of the day and unwind. Answer questions, give advice, get advice, laugh. It really is such a great resource.
Read a book.
Ha, if you’re like me, your first thought was “when?!” We went on vacation and it required a 12 hour road trip. I grabbed some books off our shelves that I had received for Christmas a few years ago and never got around to reading. I am so glad I brought them. I didn’t get through them, but I started one and now it’s making me WANT to finish it! You can get a few pages in in the pick up line when you pick up your kids from school, take a bath after bedtime…make time for it. Think about how often you sit around and scroll Facebook. Replace a few of those sessions with reading a good book. Bump it up a notch and join a book club on Facebook!
Ha, if you’re like me, your first thought was “when?!” We went on vacation and it required a 12 hour road trip. I grabbed some books off our shelves that I had received for Christmas a few years ago and never got around to reading. I am so glad I brought them. I didn’t get through them, but I started one and now it’s making me WANT to finish it! You can get a few pages in in the pick up line when you pick up your kids from school, take a bath after bedtime…make time for it. Think about how often you sit around and scroll Facebook. Replace a few of those sessions with reading a good book. Bump it up a notch and join a book club on Facebook!
Get dressed, make your bed.
I know, crazy, right? But I truly feel like I get more done even if I don’t leave the house, on the days that I get dressed and make my bed. I feel more motivated! Even getting the kids dressed. When I first became a SAHM, Dylan and I had PJ days pretty much any day unless we were leaving the house. But lately, I have been trying to get dressed in the morning even if I don’t have plans to go anywhere. I feel more ready for the day.
I know, crazy, right? But I truly feel like I get more done even if I don’t leave the house, on the days that I get dressed and make my bed. I feel more motivated! Even getting the kids dressed. When I first became a SAHM, Dylan and I had PJ days pretty much any day unless we were leaving the house. But lately, I have been trying to get dressed in the morning even if I don’t have plans to go anywhere. I feel more ready for the day.
Plan monthly girls’ nights.
My friend Melissa and I started monthly girls nights (it lasted maybe 3 months and then she went and got a job…dumb 😉 ) and it was one of the best decisions. I get to get out once a month and not feel guilty. The kids are at home, sleeping and Dan gets a night to himself as well. He works hard during the day and plays super heroes like the best of them at night. He enjoys a night by himself from time to time, too. You get out and have adult conversation, face to face, with someone other than your husband.
My friend Melissa and I started monthly girls nights (it lasted maybe 3 months and then she went and got a job…dumb 😉 ) and it was one of the best decisions. I get to get out once a month and not feel guilty. The kids are at home, sleeping and Dan gets a night to himself as well. He works hard during the day and plays super heroes like the best of them at night. He enjoys a night by himself from time to time, too. You get out and have adult conversation, face to face, with someone other than your husband.
What do you like to do to beat the Stay At Home Mom Blues?
