5 Ways To Survive Being A Stay-At-Home Mom

If only we had eight arms to do it all, right?
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Being a stay-at-home mom is possibly the toughest, most exhausting job a woman could ever have, mostly because it is hundreds of jobs in one. There is so much we expect from ourselves, so many tasks we are responsible for completing, not to mention trying to instill great behavior and morals into the little humans we made at the same time. If only we had eight arms to do it all, right?

With this job comes a whirlwind of emotions and to be quite honest most of them are ones that can drive even the best of us to a full blown breakdown on the bathroom floor. Here are a few things that I have personally found make day to day life as a stay at home mom run more smoothly:

1. Wake up before the kids do.

You’re probably asking yourself, “Is she crazy?!” Trust me, I am not a morning person and I know kids already get up at the crack of dawn but it helps so much. You can take a shower, maybe put on a little mascara, and have a small moment of peace to yourself. When your kids wake up, you won’t be mumbling and grumbling and wishing you could sleep in… You’ll have just as much energy as they do.

2. Get ready for the next day the night before.

Choose what outfits the kids are going to wear, (and maybe you too), make sure your diaper bag is stocked, and know what activities you are going to be doing the night before you do it. Even if you are just going to the park or staying inside all day, stay at home life is better when planning is involved.

3. Develop a routine and stick to it.

It doesn’t have to be anything too crazy if you don’t want it to be. A simple bath, story and snuggling up at the same time every night will save you a lot of headache when it comes to getting your kids to bed (most nights, anyways).

“Being a stay-at-home mom is possibly the toughest, most exhausting job a woman could ever have, mostly because it is hundreds of jobs in one.”

4. Ask for help.

It may seem like because you are at home all day, you are supposed to handle everything by yourself. Running a household is not easy and when you add in kids, it becomes nearly impossible. Most people would be more than happy to help you out when you are struggling so make your needs known and reach out to those around you.

5. Remember to enjoy the little things.

It sounds cliche, especially when you’re frequently overwhelmed and your stress levels are almost always through the roof. But in the midst of all that, your children are growing up. They will never be this small again. There will be a time where they won’t depend on you for everything. There will be a time when you will miss sticky fingers, watching them light up when they discover how to do something new, and extra bodies sharing your bed.

No matter what you do, being a stay at home mom will never be a walk in the park. And while you don’t have those eight arms that you so desperately need, doing the things on this list will keep you from drowning in the never-ending responsibilities of a stay at home mom.

For more tips on motherhood, you can keep up with Raquel over at The Cool Mom’s Blog and on her Facebook page, The Cool Mom.

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