6 Things I Would Go Back and Tell Myself as a New Stay-At-Home Mom
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Being a stay-at-home mom is not for the faint of heart. Polly’s latest revelations about this past year are case in point. All three of my children are in elementary school now, but those nine “little years” at home with them were not easy. It sure was worth it, though.
The job a stay-at-home mom does day in and day out has an immeasurable impact not only on her children but potentially on the world. I really believe that. In fact, I wrote a whole series about the impact of motherhood and some encouragement for the stay-at-home mom that you may find helpful.
The old saying is true about my time staying home: The days were long but the years were sure short. Through those years, I learned a few things along the way. I SO wish I could have said several things to myself at the start of it all in 2007 when my son was born.
If I were talking to myself at the start of this journey, here are six pieces of advice I’d give. Most of these apply to working moms just as much as stay-at-home moms. I hope they encourage you today!
Note: This post was published in it’s original form in March 2016.
1. Don’t over pack your schedule.
If I could talk to myself nine years ago, this is the #1 thing I would say! Leave space for life’s curve balls. Look, here’s what we should be saying to ourselves: Life should not feel hurried, stressful, and chaotic most of the time. This is why it’s so important to leave space in your weekly schedule. Your kids will get sick (a lot in those preschool years). You may find yourself on bedrest. A pipe may burst. In other words, life will be life. But, we forget that when things are going smoothly. Our tendency as moms and just red-blooded Americans is to say “yes” to everything that sounds good–hosting friends and family, play dates, more work, even Bible studies. Before taking on more commitments, though, always take time to think, pray, and seek counsel from others about it. If you feel like you have unscheduled time to breath each week, then you’re doing the right thing!
2. Have a loose plan with goals each day to keep you focused at home.
Here’s how it worked for me and still does. If I go into my day at home with no plan for meals or how to spend our time at home or at least a few goals, it almost always descends into chaos. That was even true when I just had one kid, but all the more true when I had multiple ones at home. One of the best things I’ve learned and try to do now (when all the kids are home, that is) is to plan ahead the night before to make the next day go smoothly.
- I set my coffee pot so it’s ready to brew.
- I create a weekly menu plan at least a few days in advance, even thinking through ideas for breakfast and lunch.
- I try to think through the things I have to get done and then use a little white board to scribble out a loose plan for the next day. I used to use a great little magnet system (see image above) when my kids were younger so they could follow along on the schedule too. It worked very well, as they knew what to expect.
- I try to include a few times of active exercise and/or outdoor play throughout the day for me and the kids (see next point.)
- Set your expectations to be realistic and know that your day most likely won’t go exactly as planned. (This is important!)
3. Find ways to be active and get outside most days.
I’ve found that getting outside and moving (exercising and/or active play) changes everyone’s attitudes regardless of age. There is something about being in God’s creation and fresh air that can help hit the “reset” button on difficult days. My neighbor and I would walk rain or snow (often with a very well-wrapped baby or toddler in tow) several days a week. Usually we would end at our neighborhood park so the kids could play, too. Repeat after me:Â Exercise +Â Outdoors = Reset Button.
4. Build community with other stay-at-home moms.
Look for play groups through your church or seek out other moms in your phase of life to gather with regularly. For two years, several moms and I met weekly to read a story to our kids, do a craft, and then let them play together. Over time we got to know each other and help our kids learn to interact with one another. And we were also able to help each other out at times, whether it was just through encouraging words or watching each other’s kids or bringing meals when times got hard.
5. Find ways to have time away from your children.
While I’m not a proponent of the “me first” mentality our culture shoves down our throats, I do think it’s healthy to have time away from our children regularly–both for mom and the kids’ sake. You may not have the money in your budget for a regular sitter, but think creatively about how to find time for yourself outside the home. It may be taking an evening walk with a friend or a Saturday morning breakfast with the girls while your husband keeps the kids. Or maybe even take a short trip with friends like I do occasionally.
6. Make time for your husband.
Kids demand our time. They really do need our help in so many ways. But, in the meantime, it’s easy to become complacent in our marriages by default. However, after our relationship with God, our marriage is the foundation of our family. If our marriage is strong, our family will be strong. We will be better parents to our children. You’ll feel more supported at home. Cultivating our marriages takes work, and it’s not always convenient. Here are a few ways to make your husband a priority:
- Pray for him. I forget to do this so often, but nothing softens my heart more for Nathan than when I take time to pray for his needs and our marriage.
- Hire a sitter or do a swap with another family so that you can have a date regularly. Or, plan a “stay at home date night” after kids go to bed.
- Ask him what’s something you could do for him that would show him love. Ok, I know you’re snickering like a junior high kid here. But, honestly, you know what the answer might be. Then again, sometimes he may surprise you. My “type-A” husband told me that if I replaced the trash bags when I took out the bathroom trash that would mean a lot to him. Ha!
- Read and discuss a marriage book together. A great one is The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller.
- Get involved in a couples small group through your church. Having good friends around us to encourage and pray for us through the years has strengthened our marriage and helped us through difficult stretches (and they do come!). No man or woman or couple is an island.
6. Be in God’s Word however you can.
What are the things you find yourself thinking you need as a mom to stay sane? Sleep? Time to yourself? A clean house? Exercise? Yes, all those things are good. But, the #1 thing we need as a mom is a relationship with Christ. And like all healthy relationships, we must stay connected to that person. The Bible is the primary way God reveals himself to us and speaks to us as his daughters. Spending time reading God’s Word is what our hearts need most. And yet it’s so hard to find a quiet space and time to do that as a mom with young children.
My answer for this is that “something is better than nothing.” Whatever it looks like to spend time with God during the day, no matter how short and interrupted, strive to make that a priority. Not because you’re checking off a box on a to-do list, but because it will be like water to your parched soul. Reading and praying through scripture will encourage, convict, teach, and mature you over time. And when our hearts are overflowing with the love of God, that overflows to our children and husband and friends. Time with Jesus will never return void!
That’s why Polly and I developed our printable On the Job Meditations for Moms verse cards years ago. We found that placing these around the house helps us focus on truth all day long as stay-at-home moms.
Purchase a set of On the Job Meditations for Moms HERE.
I’m praying right now for anyone who is reading this post–that God would help you grow as a mother, see the big picture of what you’re doing, and have the strength and wisdom you need to persevere!
P.S. See our master list of Parenting Resources here, including our favorite parenting books and articles, toys, children’s books, and more.
Jennifer says
I love this! I was actually just thinking about this today as my boys are growing and in school. I echo all of the above, but I’d add one more thing to the list. Treat being a stay at home mom like a job…get ready, put on nice clothes (pajamas pants don’t count…grin.), put on make up, fix your hair, etc. When I am dressed and ready for the day, I am much more productive and feel better.
Rachel says
That’s such good advice, Jennifer. Totally agree…as I sit here at 2:30 p.m. in my nasty workout clothes and no make-up. Ha!