Becoming a stay at home is not for the faint of heart. There seems to be a misconception that being a stay at home mom is the "easy way out" or that it means you're lazy because you aren't returning to the corporate world. I couldn't disagree more. As a stay at home mom myself, I truly believe that it is the hardest and most rewarding job on Earth. However, adjusting from a very structured professional work day to a less structured/more chaotic mom day can present itself many different challenges.
Today we'll be discussing tips on how to transition from working outside the home to being a stay at home mom.
Before becoming a mom, I loved my job! I had graduated college and found my dream job working as a Water Quality Specialist for the city. My job allowed me to spend lots of time outdoors, gave me room to grow independently, and I got to work extensively in the laboratory running tests on water samples. I truly had the best job (in my opinion) and it was bittersweet to think about leaving it all behind.
Despite how much I loved my city job, I always knew that I wanted to be a stay at home mom. My mother stayed at home when I was growing up, and I admired so many qualities she had and I wanted to embody the same "loving homemaker" energy someday.
Since becoming a stay at home mom, I've found that there are certain habits that have really helped me transition from working outside the home to where I am now: a homemaker! It's not easy giving up the professional world and a lot of people struggle with the lack of structure and accountability. Let's dive right into how you can make the transition easier for you and your family.
#1 - Create a Routine
You may be used to setting an alarm clock Monday to Friday, logging into your work computer, and taking a lunch break at exactly the same time everyday. All of that goes out the window when you become a stay at home mom! You don't have the same rigidity in your schedule and you're not running on "your time" anymore. Although being a stay at home mom requires lots of flexibility, here is a sample routine as a stay at home mom of a toddler:
#2 - Leave the House Every Day
Nothing gives you cabin fever faster than being a stay at home mom at home. Making an effort to leave the house every single day is beneficial for everyone. It gives you a change of scenery and gives your little one an adventure! Leaving the house and going somewhere, anywhere, will give your child the stimulation they need to nap or sleep later on. Leaving the house can be the norm, and once you make it a habit, it's less daunting to gear up and head out. Here are some easy ways you can incorporate this habit into your daily routine:
Go for a walk: As a mom of one child and one big dog, a daily walk is a must for us. We all get some much-needed fresh air and exercise. Plus it kills about an hour of time which can be helpful.
Need some groceries?: Running to the store for a few dinner ingredients can be a great excuse to get out of the house.
Head to the Park: Once your child is 12+ months, going to the park or a playground can be so fun!
Trip to the Library: A fun and free adventure for the family. Many libraries also have little play areas with toys for little ones. This is also a great way to meet other moms.
Visit a Friend/Playdate for Baby: Whether you need some adult connection or you just need to let your kid get some energy out, visiting a friend or setting up a playdate is a great way to spend an afternoon.
#3 - Set Goals for Yourself
One thing that can be really difficult about transitioning from working outside the home to becoming a stay at home mom, is that you no longer have managers holding you accountable for your work. While this can be a huge blessing, it can also make you lose motivation and feel kind of stuck. Making goals for yourself can be a great way to continue learning, growing, and feeling energized as a stay at home mom. Ways you can set goals are:
Creating daily goals/checklists: making a to-do list can help make you feel accomplished during the day.
Create monthly goals: Perhaps you could have a goal to leave the house everyday for a month!
Make challenges for yourself: try new recipes, go to different parks or trails, make small challenges for yourself to keep things exciting.
#4 - Have Something Creative
Sometimes it can feel like you're in a rut as a stay at home mom. I've found that always having some creative on the go has really kept my spirits and energy up. I find time to explore my creativity during my son's naps or after he goes to bed. Although it can feel like an effort to be creative, once you start building this habit it will make you feel better and inherently make you a better mom. Be creative as a stay at home mom in some of these ways:
Learn to knit or crochet: I learned how to crochet when I was pregnant with my son. It's such a chill way to relax and be creative at the same time. Plus it's very easy to learn and can be pretty cheap!
Read a book: the library or thrift stores are great ways to find books.
Draw, paint, or write: do any of these speak to you?
Learn to cook and bake: dabbling in the kitchen has immediate rewards because you get to eat all your yummy creations! Plus, the more you cook/bake, the better you become at it, and the easier it is over time.
Look up DIY projects on Pinterest: perhaps there are things you'd like to make to help your home feel more cozy! DIY projects can be a great way to spend time and get creative.
#5 - Importance of Adult Connection
When you work outside the home, there are a plethora of adult conversations you'll have in the run of a day. Some will be work-related and others will be about...other adult-like things. Once you become a stay at home mom, the amount of time you spend actually talking with other adults becomes slim. You may find yourself narrating your day to your toddler, or not saying much at all. Although I think it's very important to talk to your child and connect with them in this way, maintaining relationships with other adults is so important! There is a spectrum in which extroverted folk may find they need lots of adult connection very frequently, and more introverted folk can get by with a little less. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, you should still make an effort to see adult human beings!
Have a friend over for coffee during a nap time or to come see your little one
Schedule a playdate if your friend also has kids
Go on an errands date: run your errands together or meet at a store and shop together
Go out for dinner when your spouse gets home & can watch the kid(s)
If you can't meet, schedule a FaceTime or video chat
Being a Stay at Home Mom
Transitioning from working outside the home to becoming a stay at home mom is hard. It is easier for some, and more difficult for others. There will always be challenges we're faced with as moms, but working through these 5 tips every day will make the transition easier. I'm hopeful that these tips will help you be a happier, more fulfilled stay at home mom.
What else would you add to the list?
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