This post will tell you everything you need to know about transitioning to being a stay at home mom (SAHM). Tips for being happy, not losing your sanity, and finding yourself as you transition to SAHM life.
What’s it like to be a SAHM? What are some things to consider when transitioning to being a SAHM? Staying home with your kids may be the dream for many mamas (and its okay if it’s NOT your dream), but that doesn’t mean its always easy.
I’m a mom of two toddlers and transitioned to being a SAHM a few months after my second son was born. At the time I had a 2 month old and an 18 month old toddler. Looking back, I struggled a lot with structuring my day in a way that made both my kids and myself happy and fulfilled.
Below are some tips to help you prepare or help you adjust to being a SAHM. It may be a natural, seamless transition, or you may struggle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t thrive as a stay at home mama.
You might also like these related posts:
- Self-Care Gift Guide for Moms
- 21 Motherhood Quotes that Nail Being a Mom
- Toddler Schedule – Stay At Home
Get Up Before the Kids
Although it might be difficult to get yourself out of bed when you don’t have to, make every effort to get up before the kids (at least on the weekdays). This will allow you to get ready, have your cup of coffee, or even some alone time to recharge and be prepared the day.
Get Dressed Every Day
Getting dressed is a quick and easy way to make you feel more put together so you can be more productive. You are also more likely to get out of the house if you’re already dressed.
This doesn’t mean you have to put on formal attire or even do your hair, but do change out of your pjs, even if its into comfy yoga pants.
Have a Morning Routine
Once you’re up, having a morning routine can help you start your day on the right leg. A morning routine will also make your morning productive and restorative.
Some ideas for your morning routine include: work out, get dressed and ready for the day, meditate, pray, empty the dishwasher, journal, and have a cup of coffee in peace.
Plan Out Your Day
You will be more productive if you plan out your day in advance. This can be done every morning, the night before, or at the weekly-level on a Sunday or Monday.
I like to do block scheduling using a planner like this: Magic Weekly Planner to block out times for naps, meals, out of house activities and appointments for the week.
Stick to a Routine
Not only do I plan out our days in advance, but we also stick to the similar routine almost every day. A routine can help everyone (even babies) feel more at ease since they know what to expect each day and what is coming next.
My kids nap around the same time each day (after lunch) and when they wake up they know they can expect a snack. They know we will likely get out of the house in the morning and that after dinner they get a bath.
If you want to read more about our daily routines you can check out these posts based on age: 2 month schedule, 6 month schedule, 10 month schedule, newborn & toddler schedule, 1 year old schedule, toddler schedule.
Get Out of the House Everyday (or so)
You can easily get cabin fever from the physical and mental isolation of being a SAHM. Get out of the house every day even if that means going for a walk around the block, running an errand or to the nearest coffee shop, or even just the backyard.
The fresh air and vitamin D can be great for your immune system and just lightening your mood on a gloomy day.
Set Realistic Expectations
Make sure to set realistic expectations for yourself, your kids, and your husband. Once you get in the groove of staying home with the kids you will have a better understanding of what you can truly accomplish in a day or week.
Additionally it will take some time for your kids and spouse to adjust to your new family schedule and daily routine as well. Don’t expect your kids to be angels or sit quietly all day or don’t expect your spouse to read your mind when it comes to your new wants and needs.
Connect with Other SAHMs
After becoming a SAHM you will no longer have the daily social interaction with co-workers and most of your friends will be at work during the week.
Connect with other SAHMs and meet up for a play date once a week or find a stroller walk buddy. If you don’t have any SAHM friends in town, another idea is to connect with other SAHMs through social media!
Make a Chore Schedule
One of the main roles for many SAHMs is being the homemaker. It can be very overwhelming if you aren’t used to the chaos of cleaning with kids or don’t have a plan for your weekday chores.
I recommend making a schedule, rotation, or plan for your cleaning routine. This can be as simple as setting weekly clean goals or making a detailed daily or weekly cleaning routine.
Do Something You Love Everyday
The days and nights can run together and it’s very easy to lose yourself in SAHM life. Make sure to take time to do something you love every single day.
This can mean reading scripture or doing a quick workout in the morning, enjoying a good latte during nap time, walking outside, or reading your favorite book before bed.
Ask for Help
If you have family close by or have a babysitter, don’t be afraid to ask for help! It’s hard to do all of the child care and homemaking alone while also finding some time for yourself.
Even if your husband works outside of the home full time, discuss sharing the responsibility for some of the household duties or having them help with watching the kids while you get an hour or two to yourself.
Take Weekends (and Nights) Off
Motherhood is a full-time job. You work hard all day and deserve some time off. Make sure to take some time off of housework at night and on the weekends (or whenever your husband is off of work).
I like to set up my weekly household chore schedule so that i’m cleaning during the week and not doing as much on the weekends.
Practice Self-Care
When you do get down time or alone time, be sure to do something to rejuvenate yourself (physically or mentally). Self-care may look different for everyone.
For me it means enjoying a good cup of coffee and getting some work done on my blog. Or taking a long bath followed up with a good skincare routine. Whatever fills up your cup, do that regularly!
If you are looking for some things to add to your self-care wish list check out this post: Self-Care Gift Guide for Moms
Keep Date Nights
Although the budget may be a little tighter after you transition to staying home, don’t give up those date nights just yet! It’s important to keep dating your husband and date nights can be an important part of feeling connected and keeping the spark alive.
If you can’t get a babysitter or get out of the house, consider a date night at home once the kids go to sleep. Cuddle up with a good show, play a board game, or have a romantic candlelit dinner.
Give Yourself Grace
Finally, the most important tip for transitioning to being a SAHM is to give yourself grace! You probably won’t be a perfect ‘Pinterest mom’ every day and some days will be full-on survival mode.
Your kids won’t remember that you didn’t put on makeup everyday or that they ate the same thing for lunch 5 days in a row. What they will remember is the memories you made as a SAHM and the unconditional love you showed them every day.
Thanks for stopping by!
