My first year as a SAHM

Why yes, I always look like this when I am making dinner. Don't you? 

I've just reached the end of my first year as a Stay at Home Mum. I think I was probably more adjusted to staying at home that most new Mums because for two years previous to becoming a Mum I worked from home, and have been studying externally from home too. So I am used to the solitude, what I was not used to, was having my day dictated to me by a very demanding, occasionally overbearing, but extremely cute and energetic little boss man.

There are some days that I think having someone else deal with nap time and teething during the daylight hours would be preferable (if I am throwing out ideas lets say the night time hours would be amazing too). There are some days where I feel like wearing heels and going to the toilet alone (lets try to see how many people and animals we can fit into the small toilet cubical shall we, that sounds like a fun game). There are some days where I long for conversation that doesn't include the word 'dad dad dad dad dad' repeated to me at least a million times a day. There are a lot of days where I loathe doing any more housework that seems to mysteriously undo itself by mid afternoon. Occasionally I get bored, there is only so much vacuuming a person can handle in a week. Some days the pajamas stay on, the shower is a distant memory and my hair is a grease ball. Sometimes I feel out of touch with the 'real' world, wait, so neon is fashionable again? Dang it, I should have kept my clothes from the early 90's.

As many of my new Mummy friends are starting to head back into the workforce it has caused me to do some reflecting on my status as a stay at home Mum. It is definitely easy to think that I should be doing something more, contributing more, helping to pay the bills, getting ourselves ahead, earning more money.

Then I remember how much I really love being at home with my little man.

 I think of how very lucky I am, so many people would love to have the option to be at home, but just can't. My life isn't really glamorous, most of the time the opposite of that. When I look into those big bright blue eyes and think, I don't care about any of the other stuff, I am just glad you call me Mum (occasionally, most of the time you call me dadadadadada).

Here are some things that have helped me to Survive and Thrive as a full time SAHM Mum.

- Joining a Mothers Group

- If your having a hard day (i.e.baby won't nap, screaming, won't let you change a nappy without smearing poop all over you and the floor): go outside. The sun and fresh air does wonders for cranky babies and Mummies.

- Exercise, it does wonders for my head space

- Get involved in the community. Lots of places have things for babies/toddlers and parents. Like library baby rhyme time, toddler gym. Even most of the indoor play centers near us are free for under 1's.

- Have a hobby: For me blogging has actually been a great outward release of my energy and something else to focus on and I really enjoy it. I think that it helps to have something for 'you' that you enjoy and look forward to. 

- Ask for help. I was just talking to a friend about this today. You don't have to be superwoman, and you don't have to do it all yourself, it is ok to admit that it is hard and your struggling. 

Also side note! I think it is important if you have the means to, then do whatever it is that works for your family, I stay at home, and I love it, some people hate it, so no judgement here, nobody wins when Mum is miserable. 

Karen xx 

-

Posted with Blogsy