I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 8 months now and I love it! I am so grateful that I’m able to be home with my daughter. There have been SO many sacrifices to make this work, but it’s been worth it.
It took me a while to figure out my rhythm and how to have a productive day. It took me even longer to see value in what I am doing. It really is a full time job. I am a nanny, a chef, a secretary, a personal shopper, a housecleaner, a milk factory, a teacher and countless other job titles.
There are people making a lot of money doing what I do.
I am also a wife, a daughter, a friend, a sister, a writer, and a member of the community.
I am so much more than a stay-at-home mom. That’s why it’s been important for me to take time every day to do the following 7 things!
Here are 7 things I do as a stay-at-home parent to stay sane!
1. “Work” Time
Being a stay-at-home parent means that I take on more work around the house, simple as that. I take time throughout the day to work on the annoying tasks that have to get done, like
- scheduling
- being put on hold for half the day by Verizon, Staples, etc.
- forgetting to put 1 essential food item on my shopping list and then spending an hour going back to the store to get it
- spending several days taking my 10-year-old printer apart instead of biting the bullet and buying a new one
2. Walk
Walking is the only type of “exercise” that works for me. I really do it to clear my mind and get some fresh air for me and the baby. We like to find little waterfronts to explore and we always play this checklist game.
- LOOK for 1 dog
- LOOK for 1 cat
- LISTEN for 1 bird
- SMELL 1 new smell (fresh cut grass, laundry)
And of course, say hi to anyone we pass, because becoming a mom has made me friendly. Or, maybe it’s just the lack of socialization in 2021 ha!
3. Relax
I relax for part of nap time. I have to. I “work” 24 hours a day. It took me a little while to see that it’s perfectly okay for me to take time to relax as a stay at home parent. I have no lunch break. I have no “decompression” time on my commute home. It’s on me to manage my mental wellness and realize when it’s time to be productive and when it’s time to put my feet up and scroll Instagram or watch TV.
4. Reach out
It can be mind numbing to talk to a baby all day. The narration, the “oohs” “aahs” and “yayayays” make me feel like a robot some days. That’s why I’ve made it a priority since my daughter was born to make a phone call every day. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay grounded in the insanity
5. Get out of the house
I hate this one, but I do it anyway! Maybe it was the events of 2020 that caused me to be comfortable with being a shut-in. Leaving the house can be hard. Leaving the house with a baby can be even harder. Every day, we try to get out of the house. Even if it’s just those waterfront walks or the grocery store, being in public and getting a change of scenery keeps me grounded.
Our new favorite place is the pet store, or what I like to call the “free zoo”. Baby M loves looking at the fish and kittens up for adoption. It’s a quick and easy way to keep her entertained out of the house. We’re always looking for fun, easy, free things to do together – if you have any suggestions, let me know below!
6. Work on my hobbies
This is the hardest one on the list. I struggle with finding the motivation to work on the things that fill up my cup. Writing, reading and working on my side projects sometimes get put on the back burner. However, I’ve found I’m a better mom and an all around better person when I’m carving out time to work on the things that bring me joy. After spending %90 of my day giving my energy to other things, this time is necessary.
7. Play!
The most important thing I do as a stay-at-home is PLAY with my baby! There’s nothing better than sitting down on the floor and reading my daughter a book or playing peekaboo. The sound of her little laugh when I pretend to eat her feet fills my heart with so much joy. I know that after food, a safe place to live, and clean clothes, my uninterrupted time is the most valuable thing I can provide for my child.
What do you think of this list? What do you do to stay sane as a stay at home parent?
Let me know below.
O.
