The Reality of Being a Stay at Home Mom
Becoming a stay at home mom was a big adjustment for me. I enjoyed my job and although I was thrilled to have the opportunity to stay home with my son, I knew I would miss the daily interaction at work. This morning, after waking up at 6:30 to rush through the household tasks before a busy day, I sat down for a few minutes to read the comics from the Sunday newspaper. It’s Thursday, and the paper has been sitting on my kitchen counter all week because this is the first real opportunity I’ve had to do anything more that clip coupons from it.
Motherhood – It’s a 24/7 365 Day a Year Job
I have met quite a few people who assume that since I am a SAHM that I just have oddles of time and that I sit on my butt all day and watch the soaps on TV. First of all, I don’t like soaps, second of all, do you think that is what your daycare provider is doing all day…because if you do why would you send your child there? No, I HAVE a job, a full time job being a mom; and by full time I mean 24/7 three hundred and sixty five days a year.
What Do You Do All Day?
Eat ice cream…snuggle under a blanket…watch TV…oh wait! Nope. SAHM’s do not get that luxury! There is so much to be done and how are we to get it all done? Doctor’s appointments, cleaning, feeding, grocery shopping, getting the kids to school – and back home again (something I will not be discussing because we are not at that “stage” yet, therefore, I have no idea how I will work that into the schedule as well!)
Be a Successful Stay At Home Mom
The baby is crying, the toddler needs to potty, the dryer just buzzed, it is time to cook supper, and you have not had an uninterrupted night of sleep in…well, it has been too long to remember. At moments like these, you may wonder if you are really cut out for this job! Then, as your special touch quiets your baby, you cheer with your toddler about a successful potty experience, you put clean clothes away, and you provide a nourishing meal for your family, you know that you are. Being a stay at home mom (SAHM) is challenging, to say the least. Here are some tips for being a successful SAHM.
Don’t Ever Take Out the Trash
At my bridal shower everyone went around the room and gave me a piece of advice. My grandmother told me “Don’t ever take out the trash. Not even once. After that he will expect you to do it every time.” Growing up in a house with three brothers the girl jobs and the boy jobs were pretty well defined. Up until I moved out of my parent’s house at 18 I had never taken out the trash or mowed a lawn . . . ever.
Becoming a Stay at Home Mom
The adjustment to becoming a stay at home mom, especially for first time mothers, can be a rollercoaster. Many moms feel relieved when they quit their jobs to stay home with their babies but they quickly realize that going to work was the easy job. Being a stay at home mom brings unfamiliar challenges.
Is it Possible to Live on One Income?
So many wonder how it is possible to live off of only one income. It is hard. Not impossible, not easy (for us, at least!) but it can be done. These are just a few of the things that we have done to make it possible for me to stay home with our boys (something we decided even before we were married that I would do).
Meal Planning for Stay at Home Moms
There are many schools of thought when it comes to meal planning. But there is one agreement – you can save so much money if you plan your meals. The ideas listed below are not the only ways to meal plan, just ones that friends of mine have tried.
