Tips for A Stay-At-Home Mom

For those people who think stay-at-home moms have it easy has never been one before. I personally have done both. I have worked 50+ hrs per week with my step-kids and my first son. I was also a stay-at-home mom with them as well as a work part-time mom/stay-at-home mom. Now I am a stay-at-home mom again with my two children. I also work part-time from home. My step-kids are now 18 and 20 so no longer in the house regularly.
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The Truth

First Truth – Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you actually need to stay at home all day long. I know for me, I need to keep the kiddos and myself busy for that matter. The busier we are, the less trouble the kids seem to get into.
Second Truth– Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you need to wear your pajamas or yoga pants every day, all day long. Feel free to do so from time to time,  but for the most part, pick comfortable clothes you can chase the kids around, but also feel good about yourself in. Take the time to get yourself ready first in the morning, you’ll feel more energized to conquer the day.
Third Truth – Being a stay-at-home mom is just as tough as going to work full time. Each job is different, but both are just that, a job. I wish us moms would stick together on this topic, instead of debating which has it harder. Know that each is different, each is challenging and rewarding in its own way. Support all moms, no matter what their day looks like. Know that each mom has their own struggles they are dealing with so lift one another up instead of trying to debate which one has it better or worse for that matter.

3 Tips for Success

As I mentioned, my biggest advice or tip for that matter is to stay busy each day. Secondly, make a plan for your day and maybe for the entire week or month in advance. The more I schedule, the more I feel I accomplish for me and for my children in a day. We plan at least one activity each day. During naptime is when I get my work done or a workout if I wasn’t able to get one in earlier. Take a look at a typical work week of activities.
Summertime Activities
– Beach
– Park
– Nature Walks
– Walking around our neighborhood
– Outdoor playdates
– Sprinkler or Swimming Pool in backyard
– YMCA for my workouts, kids play at child watch
 
Wintertime/Rainy Day Activities
– Library music, story & craft times
– Open gym gymnastics
– Indoor playdates with friends
– YMCA to swim
– YMCA for my workouts, kids play at child watch
– Crafts
– Indoor play (forts, tool benches, kitchen/hide-and-go-seek, etc.)
My final piece of advice is a tough one, including for me too. Disconnect from your at-home work or devices while it is your kids time. As I mentioned above, schedule in times of day for your kids to have quiet/nap time so you can do those things during that time only. Let yourself enjoy the time you have with your kids. Put your phone away as much as possible so your kids know you are present.
With all that said, it is normal to have errands to run, cleaning to do, food to make, and occasional email or text, etc. It is also important to include your kids in those things so they know how to behave in certain situations as well as enjoy all things, not just activities planned for them specifically.

Final Thoughts

Even though this post concentrates on stay-at-home moms, know that I truly believe that no matter if you work full-time, part-time or stay at home with your kids, your choice is yours and you need to do what is best for you and your family. For me at this very moment, staying home with my kids and working part-time from home is what is best for me and my family. It is very rewarding and a struggle at that same time but I know I am blessed with the opportunity to have this time with my kiddos.
 
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