5 changes you need to make to be a happier stay at home mom
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I think we all can agree that being a mom is a hard job. No questions asked. I have been a stay at home mom for about 3 years now and I have to admit that I love it and sometimes hate it. I’m serious, it’s like a love and hate relationship. Everything sometimes seems bigger and harder for me to do or accomplish, that it throws me for a loop. I get frustrated and it’s not fun at all. I knew I had to make a few changes in the way I was doing things in order for me to regain happiness and control.
I love the fact that I get to stay home and take care of my kids. I get to see and be part of every milestone my twins hit, I get to cook for my family and I truly enjoy spending time with my children, among other great perks that being a stay at home mom has. On the other hand, being a stay at home mom can have it’s down side as well, like you can fall into a repetitive routine, your kids screaming and whining can get annoying really fast and sometimes you get tired of basically doing everything around the house yourself with no help at all.
I have learned that being a stay at home mom is a blessing and that I am lucky to be able to spend every second I have with my kids because I know that other moms do not have that privilege. That being said, I have also learned that in order to be a happy stay at home mom I had to make a few changes to my daily stay at home routine. These changes have helped me be a happier and more productive mom.
If you are feeling down, feeling like all you do is clean, change diapers and cook, try changing a few things in your daily routine to make your stay at home life easier. Try these 5 changes that you need to make to be a happier stay at home mom and let me know if it has helped you be happier, more productive and feeling less stressed.
5 changes you need to make to be a happier stay at home mom
Buy a planner
Wow has my life positively changed after purchasing my first planner. I love it so much and it keeps me organized and motivated, which is the major key here. Being organized is very important for stay at home moms because we can feel more at ease knowing what we have to do, what we need to clean first and just being in control of everything.
As stay at home moms, we need some kind of organization whether you want to admit it or not, it’s just a life saver and you will feel so much happier. I write everything on my planner, from doctors appointments to calling my grandmothers. I need to write it down so I can actually do it. Having a planner will change your life for the better, I have the Erin Condren planner, the passion planner and I will soon be purchasing this Start meal planning
I have been meal planning for a couple of weeks now and I love it. It really releases stress knowing that I already know what I will be cooking for lunch or dinner instead of guessing, does that make sense? I hope so because if you haven’t jumped on the meal planning bandwagon, girl! you definite should! Now, I am still not preparing the food on Sundays and having it ready to eat in a container for the whole week, like some pros are doing but little by little that is the plan.
What I am doing now is writing down what I want to cook for the next day and buying the ingredients that I need the day before or the same day after I take my daughter to school (while my hubby takes care of our twins). It honestly helps me be happier and I love having everything ready for me to cook instead of going crazy because I am missing an ingredient or not knowing what recipe I will be making for that day. You can start like me, writing your meal plan in a notebook, phone calendar or note pad.
Jot down some recipes ideas you might have and then write down the ingredients that you need in order to make the recipe. Figure out what ingredients you have at home and what ingredients you need to buy at the store. Decide whether you are going to buy it the day before or the same day that you will be cooking your meal and that my friends will save you a lot of stress and time. Meal planning is a must if you want to be a happier stay at home mom!
Play with your kids
Don’t you sometimes tell your kids “I’ll play with you later” or “not now, I’m busy” when your kids tell you that they want you to play with them? It happens and I am guilty of saying that too, not knowing that sometimes we just need to stop what we are doing and have fun with our kids. It will help us automatically feel happy and taking a break to get down on the floor and play doesn’t sound like a bad idea after hours of doing housework. Also, you don’t necessarily have to play with your kids, watching a movie together it’s a great idea too! This will help you relax and appreciate the fact that you are home and you are bonding with your kids which is so amazing in my opinion.
Take a break
Honestly I sometimes feel like I am going to loose my mind and then some after a long busy day. The key to being a happier stay at home mom is to know when it’s time to take a break, even if it’s for 5 minutes. Stop what you are doing because that can wait, your health and your happiness is more important. We do not want to get to the point where we regret being a stay at home mom, do we? Even though sometimes it can get overwhelming, I get it. So listen to me when I say, take a break, sit down, go outside and take a breather while your hubby stays with the kids, go grocery shopping by yourself, go to the bathroom and stay an extra 10 minutes to relax and recoup. Do it! Take advantage of your hubby, I am sure he will understand.
Don’t sweat the small things
As moms we often tend to put all of our emotions into small things that aren’t worth it at all. Yes, it’s sometimes frustrating when your child spills their juice on the floor that you just cleaned 5 seconds ago. Yes, it’s frustrating when your child refuses to eat their food after you slaved in the kitchen making it and it’s even more frustrating when your child is giving you a hard time during their nap time. It’s okay to say ” You know what, this is not worth me getting all build up and getting mad for” and you are right.
Do not sweat the small things, let it be and breathe in and out. kids will be kids, they will sometimes make a mess, they will sometimes refuse to eat or even sleep. It happens, you just have to not let it get to you and know that they will eventually eat because they can’t starve to death, they will fall asleep maybe 10 minutes pass their nap time but they will. You just have to take some situations lightly and not stress it, you do have to enjoy every moment with your children because they grow up too fast!
These are the 5 changes that I’ve made to be a happier stay at home mom. You know what? It works for me and I hope it truly works for you too. These changes are easy to apply and will help you tremendously in your daily routine and life. Just making simple changes to your life, really helps you live a happier and more positive one. You feel better about yourself and you feel more productive.
Let me know which of the changes are you planning to make and also what changes have you made to be a happier stay at home mom?
Have a great day!
