Choosing to be a stay-at-home mom is no easy job. To thrive as a stay-at-home mom, there is one thing you have to do – you have to make yourself a priority. Even though your daily job is to take care of your home, your home life should not become your life. Prioritizing your needs isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.
For the first ten years of my life, my mom was a stay-at-home mom to my sister and me. A child, I loved that my mom was a stay-at-home mom. I loved coming home from school and seeing her face, knowing that she was there for me whenever I needed her. Now that it’s my turn to be a stay-at-home mom, I understand more than ever the sacrifices she made for us. She put her life on hold to make sure we were raised in a caring and loving home.
To thrive as a stay-at-home mom, you have to shift your mindset concerning being a stay-at-home mom. If you enjoy being a stay-at-home mom, the job is rewarding. If you don’t like being a stay-at-home mom, your days are going to be hard and long.
Being a stay-at-home mom may be one of the hardest jobs out there – but society doesn’t see it that way. Different cultures and communities feel differently about women staying at home to raise their children. In some communities, being a stay-at-home is celebrated, while other communities look down upon women who choose to stay at home instead of pursuing careers. Don’t allow cultural or societal opinions to shame you for being a stay-at-home mom. If you are a stay-at-home mom, be the best one you can be and thrive at it.
Success as a stay-at-home mom looks different for many people. Women choose to become stay-at-home moms for different reasons and in different seasons of their lives. Some women choose to only be a stay-at-home mom for a short time, while others choose to stay-at-home indefinitely. Whatever your reason for being a stay-at-home mom, never stop being you in the process. Your personality, likes, and quirks make you who you are – and your husband and children need the authentic you. They need you to be the best version of you so that you can always be at your best for them.
Thriving as a stay-at-home mom is ultimately based upon how you feel about yourself.
For many years, I let the negative options of others cloud my judgment about being a stay-at-home mom. I realized that although I knew to stay at home with my children was the best option for our family, I let the questions of others get to my head. “When are you going back to work?” and “don’t you get bored staying in the house all day?” from other women my age really got to me.
I started to feel less-than, like what I was doing wasn’t enough. Like I wasn’t good enough. I would compare myself to other women my age who had degrees, careers, and what seemed like a “better life.” I lived with regrets and thoughts of “what if”, and it only made my life harder.
It wasn’t until I stopped caring what others thought that I finally began to appreciate being a stay-at-home mom. The choice I made for my children meant more to me than what others thought of me. I actually enjoy being a stay-at-home mom, so why was I allowing others to tell me I wasn’t doing enough? Isn’t it sad that we base our life choices around what other people may think of us?
My home is clean, my children are well-taken care of, and my husband is happy. Therefore, I am a successful stay-at-home mom. I began to see myself as more than just a stay-at-home mom – I am the heart of this family, the engine that keeps everything moving.
If you have made the decision to stay-at-home and raise your children, be confident and proud of your choice. You are important and needed, so adjust your attitude to reflect that. So many times stay-at-home moms are looked down upon, when in actuality we work hard to make the ultimate sacrifice to selflessly serve our family members. Don’t ever let anyone shame you for choosing to be a homemaker. In fact, there are many benefits to being a stay-at-home mom such as:
- cared-for home
- undivided attention
- someone who’s available during the day for emergencies
- no daycare or commute expenses
Thriving as a stay-at-home mom is ultimately based upon how you feel about yourself. Be confident, be sure, and be positive about your capabilities as a stay-at-home mom. You’ve got this Mama, so act like it! 💪🏽
8 Ways to Thrive as a Stay-At-Home Mom
1. Prioritize your overall health.
Your physical and mental health are the most important aspects of your stay-at-home mom life. Stay-at-home moms are known to be more prone to depression and loneliness. To avoid those feelings, make yourself a priority and take care of yourself daily. Here are a few examples of how to prioritize your personal health during the day:
- Practice mindfulness by paying attention to your feelings. Why do you feel this way?
- Exercise daily
- Eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day
- Prioritize your mental growth by learning a new skill
- Take breaks when you need to
- Take naps when you need to
- Set goals for yourself and keep them
- Meditate, pray, and journal in your free time
Read: 10 Daily Habits of a Healthy Stay-at-Home Mom
2. Make other stay-at-home mom friends.
One of the biggest problems stay-at-home moms have is their lack of adult interaction. My solution? Don’t isolate yourself! Put yourself out there and meet other women. You need other mom friends that you can talk to and relate to. For example, if you have a toddler, become friends with other toddler-moms so your child will have someone to play with while you engage with another adult. Here’s how to make other mom friends:
- Go to your neighborhood park and talk with another mom
- Find local “Mommy-and-Me groups
- Visit story-time at your local library and talk to other moms
- Spark conversation with a mom from your child’s classroom
- fellowship with other moms from your local church
Many women make the mistake of making their husbands their only source of adult interaction. Problem is – your husband can’t really relate to your experiences. Your husband should be your friend, but not your only friend.
3. Create schedules that work for you and your children.
Time management during the day will help you to thrive as a stay-at-home mom. Sticking to a daily schedule can help you to run your home with ease. Schedule specific times for cleaning, napping, and eating. Depending on the ages of and how many children you have, you may need to create more simple routines to get through the day. As your children get older, your routines may change. Remain flexible as you create schedules that work best for you and your kids.
4. Plan your meals.
To thrive as a stay-at-home mom you have to make the most of the time you have. One way to save time during the day is to plan your meals. By planning your meals in advance, you can save time and money throughout the week. The goal is to plan ahead so you don’t have to spend so much of your time in the kitchen.
Read: How I Meal Plan on a Budget
5. Do something for you daily.
Find something that you like to do and do that daily. Get a hobby that you love and look forward to. For fun, I like to read books. Each day, I make time to read if only for just a few moments. As a stay-at-home mom, you have to unapologetically steal time for yourself during the day.
6. Delegate tasks.
To thrive as a stay-at-home mom, you want to keep your stress levels low. One source of overwhelm can be cleaning, so delegate chores to help lessen your load. You are a stay-at-home mom, not a maid! Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Ask your husband to cook dinner or do the laundry. If your children are old enough to help, have them help around the house. Always emphasize and remind your family members that it is important for them to clean up behind themselves.
Read: 9 Daily Habits to Keep Your House Clean
7. Go out.
Just because you are a stay-at-home mom, doesn’t mean you have to always stay home. Plan fun activities for you and the kids outside of the house. If you have a car, plan to take the kids out a few times a week for an “adventure”. If you don’t have a car, pack the kids and their toys in a stroller or wagon and walk to the park. Something as simple as sitting in the backyard while the kid’s play is enough to boost your mood and spice up your day.
8. Be present.
As a stay-at-home mom, some days are hard. Even in the hard days, be encouraged as you remember that these days won’t last forever. The time will fly, so cherish every moment you have with your kids. Hold on to the good times, and make memories with them. Take pictures, make videos, and have lots of laughs.
Read: 5 Ways to Spend Quality Time with Your Children
I hope these tips help!
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