When I first became a stay-at-home mom, I really struggled as I had an “idea” of what it was going to be like and it was VERY different. Mainly because, I thought I would have more down time and it turned out to be so much more work than what I had expected.
Stay-At-Home Mom
Also, as an extreme extrovert it was hard to not have a large amount of interaction with other adults initially. I struggled with feeling like all day I talked to a baby, and was stuck inside of 4 walls. I wanted to have more interaction with friends, and people in general.
I knew that it would be a sacrifice but, I was positive that God had called me to be home with my kids in this season. I didn’t (and still don’t know) for how long but, I knew I had to find a way to thrive in this role.
I was so grateful to have an older stay at home mom take me under her wing, and show me different ways to really enjoy my new role. Here are my top 7 tips for thriving as a stay-at-home mom :
1. Get dressed every single day.
Even if you are crazy busy with how much you have to do for your little one, it makes a big difference mentally to get you and your children dressed every single day. This is part of the self-care that you so desperately need as a stay-at-home mom.
There are definitely days where it seems to be too much work to get everyone ready & out of the door. However, there is something that happens mentally that encourages you when you take care of yourself, and get ready for the day.
2. Make other stay-at-home mom friends.
This literally gave me life in every way. There are so many places where you can connect with other mom’s in your area that are able to relate to the different demands you have within your day. Some places that I found my greatest friends are: library story times, local mom groups that I found on the internet, and my church. There are so many local events and websites designed for us, you just have to get out and go! Everyone is looking to connect so, it’s not hard to make a new friend. Just initiate and say “Hi”!
3. Get out of the house.
Staying in the house can make you feel like your world is closing in and all you do is care for another human being(s). Getting out always helps me feel rejuvenated and refreshed from all of my responsibilities and it’s usually just as good for me as it is for my children. Whether you just go for a walk or to browse the isles of Target, get outside! Being around other people can completely change your day.
4. Have a routine.
Having a schedule that you follow throughout your day as a stay-at-home mom is so helpful with being and feeling productive. I personally really needed to look at my new role the same as any job I would have. So, I have tasks that I need to complete every day and times where I need to do a variety of things. This was super helpful in the baby stage with naps, feedings, snack time, play time, etc.
5. Give yourself a break.
Stay-at-home mom’s do not get lunch breaks, and many of us tend to feel that our job spans the entire 24 hour period of a day. It’s so helpful to schedule in down time for yourself throughout the day. Nap or quiet times are great for this to eat lunch, watch a show or take a nap yourself. This will refresh you to take on the second half of the day.
One thing I’ve always been strict with is my kid’s nap or quiet times. I’ve never wavered, and we are all happier because of it.
Also, I know it’s harder for some of us to get out of the house than others on the weekends, but schedule a time with your husband or a girl friend to go out for dinner (even just once a month). This does so much for your mental health.. you need adult interaction …haha… and this is a great way to do that!
Being a stay at home mom is such a privilege and blessing to your family. You are doing an amazing thing that will benefit your kids in more ways than I can list. There is a lot of joy that comes from this role, but there is also a lot of sacrifice. I hope these 5 tips will help you thrive in this role, no matter how long you decide to stay home.
This role has been so fulfilling to me, but we all have to figure out what works for us, and this has worked really well for me! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Do you have any tips that help you thrive as a stay at home mom? (Comment below)
For more parenting tips, check out: “How far should I space out my kids?” OR “How to raise grateful kids.”
motherhoodPinkBlushstayathomemom
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80 comments
Aimee
I love all of these tips, Jehava! Over the holiday break I fell into a lazy trap of staying in yoga pants all day and it was beginning to wear on me. I totally agree that self care is a must!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks girl! Appreciate it! I know I’ve been there!
Diana
I love these tips! I’m a stay at home mom as well and the only one I lack is playing more with my kiddo! Thanks for sharing xx
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks so much! Yes, that is so helpful to add in!
Jailyn
Totally agree! I had to find these out the hard way also when I became a stay at home mom almost 3 years ago. I think the biggest thing to remember is you’re doing a great (and important) job even when it doesn’t feel like it.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
This is so true! Thanks for sharing!
Katie
This is great, and I practice all these too!!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
That is so awesome!
Angela | MOMtessoriLife.com
Great tips! I also try to get dressed/shower every day, if only because then getting ready takes up some time during the LONG mornings!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
LOL! Yes to showering!! LOL
Ayanna
Great tips! I need to get dressed more often, LOL. One thing that has helped me is to also schedule some me time in my routine. Sometimes as SAHMs we can get so caught up in our family’s schedule, that we do not do anything for ourselves.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
YEs, me time is a must here as well!
Samantha Kuzyk
This is such a great list! I couldn’t agree more with all 5 tips!!!! Especially getting dressed! Totally makes a difference in my day and keeps me from feeling blah!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks so much! Yes, its a game changer!
Jasmine Hewitt
Yes, I do the same-you always look so cute!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
You are too sweet! thanks!
Charissa | thenotsobusymom
Comfy pajamas are great, but getting dressed lifts my mood and encourages me to make the most of the day.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
It does the same for me!
Melissa
These are such good points. Routines are so important for you and the kiddos. It’s amazing how something simple like getting dressed can change your mood. I still prepare our clothes the night before just as I did when I was teaching. It really helps.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
You are an inspiration! I need to get clothes prepped the night before!
Sane Mama
I definitely don’t get dressed every day (was I supposed to admit that?) but I do all the others 🙂
jehava.brown@gmail.com
LOL! Good for you! We loose some.. we win some 🙂
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
These are great tips! It can be lonely being a stay at home mom.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Aww hun! I have totally been there. I hope these tips help you!
Nicole
I do all the above with the exception of finding stay at home friends. Need to work on that one. I also make my bed every morning. It’s given me so much peace. Lol
jehava.brown@gmail.com
I really need to do the bed one… whenever I do it makes a big difference!
Erika Ortega
Love your tips! My best friend always tells me to take care of my appearance even if I’m home. It sure makes a difference she says. Because to be honest I’m the mom who doesn’t shower until midnight after everyone is sleeping and I’m done cleaning. I hate it! Which is why I love my work days because half of the week I’m dying from being home and the kids can drive me crazy. (I can’t be the only one) on the days I work I get to dress up and socialize with other adults. In a way it’s a 50/50 for me. But being a SAHM is defintely a privilege and I’m grateful to do it at least 3 days.
Which is why is so important to have a routine and go out and distract them. Something I want to work on this year for sure.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
I understand girl! I agree with all of it! I have definitely taken most showers at night too! lol
Twin Pickle
Great tips, I agree with all of them. We just need reminding every now and then, thanks 🙂
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks! Yep I totally agree!
Madison
Great tips! I’m not a mom yet but plan to be a stay at home mom when I have kids. Hopefully soon ? This is great advice.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
I’m sure you will be a fabulous mom!
Erin
These are amazing tips! Needed this post desperately as I am a new SAHM!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
I’m so incredibly glad!
anna
I am not a SAHM but I think these tips are all so helpful especially the ones about making other SAHM friends and getting out and about. It is so important to have a tribe you can relate to and lean on.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes!! So important! Thanks for reading girl!
Melissa
These are great tips — even if you aren’t a SAHM 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks girl! Yes that is so true!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog.
I’m not a stay-at-home mom, but I can imagine it’d be important to have a routine! Our work got cancelled today because of a snow day and I just spent 3 hours on the internet! A routine would probably be what I need if I stayed at home!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
LOL! Yes or we would do the same! Thanks for reading!
Gloryanna
LOVE these! I am a big believer in the getting dressed bit too! Routine is my life source and play is my outlet 🙂 Great list!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
yes! Routine makes such a big difference!
Kate
I work 3 days a week, so I guess I’m a part-time stay at home mom. I love these ideas! I’m an introvert, so I do well hanging at home with my son, but I definitely feel the need to get out and do things. The cold Ohio winter has put a damper on that for sure. I’m hoping to at some point in the future transition to full-time at home, and these tips will be key then.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes, you definitely are! It is so hard when it’s super cold!It’s definitely harder to do this in the winter than summer.
Heather
I think I have been pretty good about most of these things, expect for #5 .. I am horrendous at making time for myself. Between having a 20 month old full time, trying to start my own business, and looking for freelance work to keep the finances in check, it’s a tough gig to keep balanced. Making some changes in the new year to ensure life is a bit more manageable and I can take a few, well deserved deep breaths.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Oh I totally relate! It is such a challenge with blogging, parenting being a wife and so many other roles!
Tammy
Thank you for the great tips. Getting dressed seems like such a basic concept but something I really struggled with. It really makes a big difference in the day!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
I have my days where it seems like so much energy but I’m so happy when I do it!
Erica Nicole
It’s amazing how much getting dressed actually plays such a big part! I’ve started getting dressed at least once or twice and it does so much for my productivity. I definitely need to start doing more socializing though.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes! It really makes me more productive too!
Kim
I strongly agree with getting out of the house! Even if it’s a quick errand, I find it gives you life and sanity! Great tips!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
It really does!
Sarah Prince
I’m not a SAHM, but soon plan to be a WAHM. 🙂 But I always tell myself that I need to get dressed and ready even on Saturdays because I can get so much more done by simply getting out of my pajamas.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Exactly!! I am as well now with my blog but all of these tips still apply 🙂
Meg | The Many Little Joys
Yes to all 5 tips! They are what keeps me going on the hard days. When I do these things, I feel more fulfilled, even if I’m not as “productive” as I’d sometimes like to be.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes! It does make a difference in how productive I feel as well!
suzanne
These are all so true! Getting dressed every day may seem small, but it makes such a huge difference. Love this post. xo
jehava.brown@gmail.com
LOL Yes exactly!
Corina | Now THAT I Can Do, Mama!
Aaaah I love the first and last tips the best on this post… get dressed (always a struggle, but always rewarding) and play (so simple but so important for our littles). Thanks for sharing these 😀
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thank you! Yes the easiest things sometimes feel the hardest!
Amy
Yes yes yessss! I am just starting to realize the importance of getting ready every day, having a routine, and simply going out into the world. Sounds easy enough but I find myself getting into a lull every now and then. Loved reading this post, Hava 🙂
jehava.brown@gmail.com
LOL I’m totally with you! Thanks girl!
Shannon
Great tips! So practical but so important!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thank you!
Kayvona
I love all these tips! I really need to work on routine for my kids!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks! It can be simple or detailed but is so helpful.
Krysten
I have been a stay at home mom for the past year and a half and I completely agree with this entire list. I especially agree with the play aspect, because life can get boring if you don’t play with your little one.
jehava.brown@gmail.com
This is so very true!
Alesia
Great tips! As a working mom, this is definitely applicable for my weekends. I barely get out of my pajamas. I think I need to start getting dressed right after my coffee. Even if it’s only to put on yoga pants and a T-shirt . Haha
Thanks for a great blog post!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes! Yoga pants still counts for sure! LOL
Stephanie
I loved reading this, especially given my New Year’s Resolution to *get dressed!* I’m also going to brave the chilly temps today and just. get. out. Thanks for the inspiration!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Good for you girl because it was sooo cold here today! LOL
Nichole Snellgrove
I love all of these tips! I am unfortunately not yet a SAHM, but I will save them in the hopes of one day being one! Thanks for sharing!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thank you so much for reading!
Rebekah
Having a good flow and routine for our day makes things go sooo much smoother at our house. And getting dressed makes a big difference in my attitude. 🙂 Good tips, Jehava!! I’ll be sharing on my blog page soon!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Thanks so much! I’m so glad 🙂
Patty
Jehava, yes, these are such helpful tips. For me getting dressed everyday has been key in me feeling my best and giving my best. As well, I love when we can get out of the house and explore! Thanks for sharing!
God bless,
Patty
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes! It makes all the difference in the world! thanks for reading!
Chelsea
Yes! All of these tips are so true! I especially found that gettin is dressed makes a huge difference in both our attitudes! Changing our environment out of the house even to walk out get the mail is so helpful!
jehava.brown@gmail.com
Yes! I couldn’t agree more! It makes all the difference!