Last week I shared the things you need to consider before becoming a stay at home mom, this week I am sharing my tips on getting organised once you have decided to be a stay at home mom.
Despite what you may think, being a sahm can be as busy as when you are working. I feel I have less time now that I stay at home than when I was working. I think it is one of the biggest misconceptions moms have, they have grand illusions of doing Pinterest crafts all day with their children and endless coffee dates, while this does happen, it is not an all day, every day occurance.
I have had to really up my organisation since being at home, so before your first day at home consider the following.
Plan your day. This may sound silly but your days can very quickly run away with you, so put a plan in place. It doesn’t have to be a strict, inflexible plan but make a list of what you want to achieve for the day – do the washing, walk the dog, clean the cupboards or whatever it is you want to get done. Be careful not to over do it, rather under plan and over achieve until you can figure out your routine.
Have a routine but be flexible. I am not really one for a strict routine but I do have certain things that happen in my week – yoga on a Monday, Moms and Tots on a Friday etc. This gives your week some structure and something to look forward too.
Get out! Get out of the house, every day if possible. Your house can very quickly become very small if you are sitting inside all day, especially when your baby is small. Go for a walk, meet friends for coffee, go to gym, whatever, just get out of the house.
Make friends. Women often say they have never felt as alone as they have when they became stay at home moms. Join a baby group, make an effort to connect with the moms you met while you were pregnant. You can have them around for coffee, vent to them over whatsapp at 2h00 in the morning while you are feeding.
Its ok to sit and do nothing. I have been at home for over 4 years now and still struggle to sit and do “nothing” but I do do it more now. I used to feel guilty for doing scrapbooking or watching TV but I don’t anymore. I take a time out when I need it and do nothing productive.
I never thought I would enjoy being a stay at home mom as much as I do, I also never thought I would be as busy as what I am now. The trick to keeping your sanity and making sure you balance time with your child, time with your child and time with your husband is organisation!
