How to be a stay at home mom

If you are reading this you are wondering, congratulations on your family! Being a stay at home mom (sahm) is NOT easy! Yes, there are so many perks to it. But there are also the not so glamorous parts of it as well. Well here I will explain some tips and tricks on how to adjust your once working life into the best and most important career there is... raising your children.

Before I get into how to be a sahm, I am just going to talk about some feelings you might be feelings at time and validate them. I understand there might be times where you feel lost, unheard or unseen, of course always tired and not to mention hungry. There are times where you cry for no reason and or cry all the time. You might feel guilt for feeling this way. But let me tell you those are all common thoughts and it is okay. We are all in this together and we can do this!

How to be a stay at home mom

1. Create a schedule for your children.

- This is so important and could be a little time consuming at first, but so worth it. Once you have kids time flys by. I swear one minute you are waking them up in the morning and the next thing you know you are scrubbing baby bottles at the end of the night right after you kissed your littles goodnight. The thing about this schedule is that it will be forever adjusting. You can start your schedule the day you bring your first baby home from the hospital and you can use it for your senior in high school. This is also beneficial for you when someone babysits your kids. They have a schedule that you only have to print for them or send a photo of. That way your kids stay on their schedule and don't miss a beat, and you can go where you are going with peace of mind. So here is a nice outline of a schedule you can use to help guide you on starting a daily schedule for your kids to keep you and them on track.

2. Create a schedule for yourself.

- I know what you are thinking... how am I supposed to have time to map all of this out? You can do it in pieces or all at once. It can take you a few minutes or a few days. It is on your timeline, but will save you so much time, frustration, money, and stress over the next 18+ years. By mapping out your own schedule you hold yourself accountable for your own well being. Schedule things like: eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, showers, reading a book, meditation, working out, work after work if you have to bring it home, meal prepping, praying, doing your hair and nails, etc. Everyone's interests, needs, and priorities are different so put things on your schedule that you need to do everyday and make sure they get done.

3. Take care of your home.

- Being a SAHM is so overwhelming at times. You are not only raising babies all day 24/7 with no shut off, but you are also taking care of your home. Taking care of a home takes a lot of time and effort. If you are a Type A person, like myself, then guess what... make a schedule! I have a very in-depth schedule of what I need to do each day of the week to achieve the household I am happy with and then have a small area for the chores that I do 1x each month, 2x a year, or yearly. If you are more of a Type B person, then I find it easy to choose a room a day and take care of your home that way. When in doubt moms, the dust will be there tomorrow and the laundry isn't going anywhere (even though we all wish it would lol)

4. Pre-Plan the holidays/events

- Holidays can be very overwhelming for moms of kids any age, especially littles. So if you have a holiday coming up within the next 2 months start talking about it and planning it ahead of time. Whose house, what food will we bring, do we need any gifts or cards, do our kids need to be in any special attire, do we need to take off work, do we need to find childcare (work event in the evening, holiday work party, wedding, etc.). Start planning out these events and so when the week or day comes you can be at ease a little more since you took care of all the little small details earlier!

5. Don't forget about your spouse.

- Through all the planning, scheduling, tantrums, and needs of yourself and kids, don't forget about your spouse. Find their love language and understand what they need in order for their love tank to be full. Not many people know about the five love languages of couples, but they are so important and are a true game changer in a marriage with or without children. Learn what your love language is and talk to your partner about it so that you both can love one another the way you both need to be loved. Having kids are amazing and fun and special and magical, but don't forget or neglect your other half. We don't do it on purpose. We are tired, in sweats and a sweatshirt covered in boogers, vomit, tears, and oh so much more, and by the end of the day we have had it. We want quiet, we want to take a shower, eat, pee for the first time in the day at 8pm finally, and not be touched. We are definitely over stimulated mommas by the time our husbands come home. But try not to take it out on them. Remember you are a team and together you're stronger than fighting against one another.

6. Take. Care. Of. Yourself.

- Self care is one of the hardest things to find time for. That is why having a schedule for yourself is key. Plan out the time you need to regroup. Some of us only need a few minutes daily or weekly. Others might need a day a week. Whatever your time is that you need to recharge schedule it. That way you know your children and household are taking care of by another caregiver (husband, grandma, aunt, cousin, friend, babysitter, etc.) and you can recharge your battery. I can't stress this one enough. If you do not take care of yourself, how can you take care of your most precious creations to the best of your ability? So plan out a date with yourself and make sure momma gets the rest she needs to be the best she can be.

7. Pray. Pray. Pray.

-Thank God for this opportunity to be the best mom you can be for your littles that he blessed you with!

Mom's don't forget that you are doing an amazing job. Some days are hard and some are easy. Some are loud and some are quiet. Some are fun and some are boring. Some are long and some are short. But embrace them all. Love them all. Enjoy every second. Keep it up! You got this!

<3 S