I really love being a stay at home mom and truly feel it is my vocation and my calling. I have wanted to do this since I was a child and when I started out parenting as a working mom, I just didn't feel right about that.
Today I had the realization that just as one could get a better job or improve the processes of their current job to make it more satisfying, there may be "secrets" out there I could use to improve this job that I love.
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I've had periods of my life as a SAHM where I was just surviving. The nine months I was pregnant with my youngest was a survival period. Now it is different. I'm doing well, health-wise.
My resolutions this year are all about being more happy at home and not just surviving, but thriving.
Here are some simple things I've implemented in my home, which may or may not be applicable to you, given the ages of your children. My children are 11, 9, 7, 4,and 1.
1. wake up at 6:30 a.m.--the kids wake up with a wacky alarm clock they love
2. empty dishrack and fill sink with hot, soapy water before each meal--have kids wash their own dishes after they eat
3. bedtime routine begins at 6 p.m. with scriptures, songs and quiet time
4. all kids in bed by 7 p.m. The older boys usually read for an hour.
5. make sure main living areas are tidy before bedtime
6. have a meal plan for the week
7. kids have weekly chores
I know something that has helped me is to have set wake up time 6:30, breakfast 7, lunch 11:15, nap or quiet time 12(Mason doesn't nap, but he is in his room entertaining himself), Mason can come out at 1:30 for craft or cooking time, Ave can wake when she does naturally, then dinner at 5 and bedtime routine starts at 6:45, bedtime 7:30. This helps trememdously because during the hour and a half I get dinner ready for that night and rest or have my spare time. I also use emealz to plan and organize my grocery list and meals. This is also nice for our budget. Also we do gross motor (dancing, exercising, stacking cans of soup, running, jumping, etc) and fine motor (gluring, threading, crafts, cutting, tearing paper, etc). Usually the gross in the morning and the fine in the afternoon. Hope this helps?!?
I am going to have to agree with waking up at 6:30, I just barely started doing it, but it helps a lot!
Also, FLY lady if you are like me and struggle to keep a clean house.
One thing we have started doing that I think will become a fun tradition is our family fun jar. We filled a jar with popsicle sticks and on each stick wrote something fun to do. Some were easy ones to do at home, some required going out somewhere. Some were free, some cost a little bit of money. Some we do all the time, some we have never done. Every Sundday we have a special dessert and pull out a stick for each day of the week and write our special activity on the calendar. It makes it so I plan time to do special things with my family.
I also would suggest getting a preschool activity book and plan a few fun activities for the week.
Also, weekly library trips are huge for me!
That is a lot, hope this helps, and frankly Bobi, I look up to you in all things parenting, so I want your ideas now!
What helps me? Organization. But also allowing for the unexpected. ME TIME. Us Time. Exercise accompanied by bad music ;-). Knowing that I have free slave labor.
I wanted to add to my original list. I think an important part of enjoying life as a mother is to remember that this time is fleeting and that our children will only be this age now. I'm working harder to appreciate and enjoy my children as they are now.
Hi Bobi! Good to "see" you again on your blog. I really don't have much advice, but the biggest thing for me is getting up early - no later than 6:30am. That one thing (when I do it : ) seems to make my day go much better!
Hey Bobi, I agree we can all improve as mothers and I have enjoyed getting ideas off the other comments on your blog. Some things that we do that I enjoy and help are:
Every night before prayer, we have "favorite experiences". We did this with my family growing up and we have continued it. Basically everyone just says their favorite part of the day. "dinner" or "playing with Casey" or "having races"... you get the point. Also, for scripture study, we usually pick one word and an action to go with it for the kids to listen for. For example, when we say the word Nephites, the kids touch their knee. It really helps them pay attention a lot more.
I have decided that the only time I will be on the computer is during naps and after the kids go to bed. I had tried setting a timer for myself but still struggled with spending to much time on the computer. So now, unless it's impertinent for me to be on, I am only on when they are asleep. We have more time together and I get a lot more done. :-)
I thought I would say, savor each day, they fly by so fast. Others already reminded you of that. You are an awesome mother. You make it possible for me to love being a Grandma. Recognize each day that you are doing well, so you can enjoy it more.
There is a really great book I like called "A Mother's Book of Secrets," by Linda Eyre and her daughter Shawnie. It had a lot of good advice and tips. It's short and easy to read over lots of short 5-minute sessions.
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