Former working mom, suddenly a SAHM - got any tips?

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Permalink Reply by Mrs. Allison Draeger on July 6, 2009 at 10:19pm

I know it may be hard but trust me staying at home with your babies is the best blessing ever!!! I love being at home, I love watching my children grow, I love the fact that someone else isn't raising them and I love being able to go to the Zoo, or to the park and when school is in, I love getting to go to the school and helping out and going on field trips, also taking care of my house and husband and children is a full time job but its a blessing:]

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Permalink Reply by Jenni H on July 7, 2009 at 4:42am

Thanks Allison! You are right - it is a blessing. It is an adjustment but with support like these wonderful moms here I do believe it can be done!

Mrs. Allison Draeger said:

I know it may be hard but trust me staying at home with your babies is the best blessing ever!!! I love being at home, I love watching my children grow, I love the fact that someone else isn't raising them and I love being able to go to the Zoo, or to the park and when school is in, I love getting to go to the school and helping out and going on field trips, also taking care of my house and husband and children is a full time job but its a blessing:]

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Permalink Reply by Shanon Lee on July 10, 2009 at 5:44pm

Hi Jenni,

I am sorry to hear about your job loss. I became a SAHM just over 2 years ago. Here are my top transitioning tips!

#1 Take care of yourself first! Whether it is ensuring you get exercise, eat right, sleep enough, or take your vitamins - you have to be in top form to be the best Mom.
#2 Get some sun! I can't speak for everyone, but I feel so much more energized and spirited if I get some sunshine and fresh air. Not to mention it can help prevent the onset of depression.
#3 Make sure your schedule forces you to get out of the house for activities for yourself and not just the kids. For many, organizing activities for the kids is a cinch. We are less committed to developing our own personal interests. However, I've found that there is an even stronger need for this when we no longer have a 'position' to define us.

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Permalink Reply by Fe Estalilla on July 10, 2009 at 6:58pm

Hi Jenny!

I am also a SAHM. I voluntarily left my job for 12 years 4 years ago when my son started school. It was overwhelming since I am a single parent but was also rewarding to be hands on with the development of my child. Like you, I also searched the internet for something to do and I was scammed a number of times. In November 2008 I stumbled upon oDesk and I started working there as freelance data entry specialist, web researcher, etc. I don't know if you are looking for a work to do at home or whatever but if you do & you are located in the US and used to be paid $12-$20 per hour, I don't think this is for you. You will understand what I mean once you see my oDesk profile here: oDesk Profile
However, if you are interested to join (it's free. all you have to do is to take the online test and pass it) you can sign up here: SIGN UP
Good luck, enjoy your kids while they're young and yes, enjoy life.

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Permalink Reply by Dhana Cohen on July 11, 2009 at 6:39am

Jenni,
I know how you feel. Several years ago I quit my day job to be a sahm...I loved it, and found great groups of moms to do things with. We live in the Chicago area and what I realized when looking for fun things to do with kids, I couldn't find one newpaper or internet site that had all that I was looking for. So I created KIDZ Around Town an entertainment style coupon book for kids and about the fun places they like to go...the best part, you can take the book with you, fits great in a purse or diaper bag, plus there are great discounts!

The reason I am telling you this is if interested, I am selling my business plan, consulting time and all the necessary forms to get started. My older son loved that his picure was on the cover (with a bunch of his friends) and that we decided on the coupons together! Its a great family run business and would do great down in Atlanta. Write back if you are interested...

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Permalink Reply by Rebekah Cooksey on July 11, 2009 at 9:26pm

I did the same thing 16 months ago. My thoughts: (1) keep a schedule (will help you and the kids). (2) Keep busy. Nice to think that you can go from 5th gear to 2nd gear but just doesn't work for many people. Good idea to research free things to do in your city. We have a great one in DFW (http://tiny.cc/freetododfw). Libraries usually have great programs in the summer. Museums will generally have at least one day a week that they are free or heavily discounted...and now you can go during the week and avoid huge crowds on weekends!! (3) Find a Mom's group in your area. Meetup.com (suggested before me) is great. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), MOMS Clubs, and Early Childhood PTA (ECPTA) also have groups in many cities (Google any of them to find their websites and chapters). You may just find that you have a passion you didn't know was within you--I did - and now I have http://www.momsoutloud.com. Good luck to you!!! You will treasure this time (try to remember that after the 8th hour of the day with no live adult interaction - ha ha).

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Permalink Reply by Sherrie Hutson on July 12, 2009 at 6:34am

Hi Jenni!
I hope it is going well for you. I left the corporate world over 4 years ago and did much of what everyone else has been telling you. It took me a while to get used to it, so being able to take a day or evening to myself really helped me to not miss the job so much. I love being able to take care of my family and I am not missing out on anything anymore. It is hard to be a SAHM, but it is so rewarding! I wish you all the best, really enjoy your children and don't worry so much about filling your time with activities, the children just love having you there!

Sherrie
http://www.CEOMomOnline.com

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Permalink Reply by Teresa on July 12, 2009 at 4:41pm

I have just a few....choose one or two "field trips" per month lost cost usually listed on your local news station website or your local momlikeme.com site.Swim day,quite day maybe go to the library get books for this day can be one of the "field trips". age appropiate of course. JUST REMEMBER to have FUN!

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Ann Anolick on July 12, 2009 at 9:54pm

Just enjoy being with your kids and the chance to do something for yourself. I don't like schedules beyond "tomorrow lets go to the beach" type of thing, but if you need I would have a nice active something in the morning, a lazy lunch, and then a rest, chores & grocery shopping till about 4, then after 4 more outdoor time, then an evening home with books and cuddles.

But really the advantage of being home? Is you are the boss, and can change things pretty much as you want to. Stores aren't going away and neither is your washing machine. So if no one is in the mood to go out and play so stay in and watch a movie or a few cartoons, bake or have them help you make a salad and go out for a picnic brunch.

Now is the time to cultivate a few hobbies and figure out what mommy loves to do.

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Permalink Reply by Cassie E on July 13, 2009 at 2:13am

Jenni,

It seems like a fabulous gift for this to have happened in the summertime! I opted to stay home with mine (was a teacher) and have been happily doing so for 11 years. However, it was a struggle early on to maintain my identity as a woman, not just a wife and mother. I was getting really frumpy! I started volunteering with my sorority alumnae group and then got into direct sales. My husband was so happy when I did because he started to see that woman he fell for years ago. Find a way to keep yourself as a priority and your kids will be happier for it! If you'd like to pursue the direct sales option, contact me. There are lots of companies out there for every interest (I do Touchstone Crystal jewelry by Swarovski), and it gives you that adult interaction, exercises your professional skills, and is flexible around your family.

Enjoy your summer!
Cassie

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Permalink Reply by Shannon on July 13, 2009 at 7:42am

I worked my entire adult life. I had my first son in April 2007 at the age of 33, almost 34 and my second son in April 2008 at the age of 34 almost 35. When I had my first son he went to daycare, but when I had my second son, we chose for me to stay home due to costs and the fact that I wanted to be with my children. It has been a hard ajdustment in some ways because although I love being home with my kids and wouldn't change it, I do miss adult interaction. We are also on a tight budget so it's hard to entertain them when it's over 100 degrees outside everyday. lol Anyway, I just signed up for our local MOPS group so I hope that will give me ideas and support for things to fill the days with. I am hoping others here have some suggestions as well. Nice to "meet" you!

Shannon
The Mommy Behind Potamus Prefers
www.potamusprefers.com

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Permalink Reply by Kaushika Patel on July 13, 2009 at 8:20am

Hi -- Embrace change as a positive force - the blessing is that your children are going to love spending time with you whether you are just hanging out at home and in the yard or doing activities together. Some great resources online that I have used for finding "things to do" are www.gocitykids.com (it might have a different name now but the link will still work) and you click on your city and then look for the calendar button and it will list everything from story times, to local festivals to free activities for you and the kids to do together as a family. It's also great for finding resources locally by category. I also think that spending time taking pictures together if you haven't done many impromptu photo shoots with the kids is a fun and then they can enjoy watching the photo slide show or video on the computer and be able to look back at the pics when they are older. Finding other moms through www.meetup.com or other community websites in your area is also a good way to get connected -- or just go to a local park and say hello to others with children your same age and introduce yourself to get involved with local moms.

Enjoy the summer,
Kaushika
www.catalysttea.com

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