Stay at home mom tips

10 Tips to Save your Sanity as a Stay at Home Mom

One of the most underrated jobs is being a “stay at home mom.” It’s a constant around the clock struggle of being a “good” mom while also tackling a never ending to do list. Staying at home is no vacation. It is hard work BUT it is also the MOST rewarding job out there. In order to make the most out of being home with the kids you need to know how to save your sanity and make those hard days a little easier.

You might be at a time where you’re questioning whether staying at home is right for you or you are wondering how stay at home moms feel fulfilled? Trust me I’ve been there! With these tips you will find yourself so much happier which then translates into becoming the best mom you can be (and don’t worry no one is perfect).

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Stay sane as a stay at home mom

How do stay at home moms keep their sanity?

There is no secret floating around to answer this question easily. Instead it has to do with how you choose to live. For some it may mean a pretty big lifestyle change but for others it might only be adding a few things to your daily routine.

Here are my top 10 tips to staying sane as stay at home mom:

1. Get ready for the day

Do what makes you feel good. This could mean a 10 minute daily routine of washing your face, putting on mascara, hair up in a messy bun and finding the most comfy lounge wear. On the other hand, this could be a full face of make up, cute outfit and cup of iced coffee.

Whatever you define as “getting ready” it is a great way to start the day off right. Some days I like to rock the messy bun and sweats and others I put on make up and a cute outfit to not only look good but feel good too. I’ve recently added Meditation to my morning routine and it has made a huge difference!

Feeling good will greatly increase your productivity as a stay at home mom.

2. Exercise for 20-30 minutes

Exercise for 20-30 minutes each day and you will be surprised at how much more energy you have. Not to mention you will feel so much better too! Now when I say exercise I don’t mean run 3 miles or go to the gym either. All you need to do is find a good at home workout routine or take a walk with the kids.

You can find a ton of great free work outs on Pinterest or YouTube but I highly recommend paying for a program that will keep you motivated to come back. I have been using this program since February 2020 and it has literally changed my life. I cannot recommend it enough! If you are unsure about paying for a workout program you can always try out the free 14 day trial.

Having more energy is so important when taking care of kids. You do not need 3 cups of coffee each day either. Not only is it bad for your health but it causes a “crash and burn” effect and your energy will wear off. Therefore, create natural energy by exercising!

3. Get out of the house

It is pretty easy to never leave the house as a stay at home mom. You don’t even need to go grocery shopping anymore since you can have it delivered. And let’s be real it is not easy getting out of the house and there is a good chance a tantrum occur when out.

Put all of that aside because getting out of the house is essential for maintaining your sanity. If you are a new mom or even a mom of three start slow and go to a nearby park and then work your way up to a fun trip like the zoo. Or my personal favorite a weekly trip to target. Coffee and shopping equals a win in my book!

Motherhood will never be easy but it does get easier as you learn your groove. This is definitely my go to tip for how new moms stay sane. It is much easier to go to a restaurant with a newborn than a 2 year old.

Now lets back up a little bit because this is 2020 and you are probably thinking okay this would work if we could ACTUALLY go somewhere. Quarantine has screwed up normal everyday life and a trip to target or the zoo is not possible. Alright you got me there but you can have just as much fun in your own backyard. Check out some fun and easy ideas here!

4. Visit with friends

Again this is not quite possible with the current state of the world but I will explain why this is important and give some good ideas of what you can do instead.

It is a common misconception that once you have a baby you can no longer do fun things with friends. In fact it is an even better reason to make plans! Meet for coffee, brunch, a stroll through town or simply take a trip to their house. Having a conversation with your friends will give you a much needed mental break. Talking to your baby or your dog will not give you what you need (although I still do it quite often :P) so get a good amount of human interaction.

Hopefully in the near future we can all get back to lunch dates and visits with friends but in the meantime you can set up a weekly FaceTime or Zoom Call.

Maintaining friendships helps us deal with stress, keeps us strong and ultimately improves our mental health. Regardless if you talk virtually or face to face you will get the time you need.

In addition you can find other stay at home moms in the area and get together with them as well. Play dates are not only for the kids they are for moms too!

5. Create a Schedule

Schedules are EVERYTHING. I have always been a planner but I definitely took it to the next level once I had kids.

Honestly this is probably the best tip for saving your sanity as a stay at home mom. A schedule keeps your day on track and takes out the stress of keeping your kids entertained as well as conquering your own boredom.

Yes, you read that right. The stay at home mom life can be VERY boring. Staying busy throughout the day and following a set schedule will significantly improve your day to day life. It will also be very beneficial for your children because all kids thrive on a schedule no matter how old they are.

Now I am not saying you cant get off schedule or have days where you don’t follow one at all because those days are needed too!

6. Stay Organized

Organization for me is like getting ready each day because look good feel good right? If my home is clean and organized I am a happy camper.

A clean home looks and feels great while an organized one makes life easier. Say goodbye to running around like a chicken with your head cut off when you cannot find where you put something and instead declutter and make a spot for everything. Ditch the chaos of a messy house and get yours running smoothly.

Organizing may not be fun for everyone so slowly tackle one project at a time. Start with toys, the pantry, closets and later one move to the junk drawer and so on.

Here is an awesome post on tips to get your family organized.

7. Find a Side Project or Hustle

If you are worried about staying fulfilled then you need to find a side project. Whether it’s a hobby or way to make money from home it needs to be something you are passionate about or enjoy.

Motivation is key here. If you are not inclined to do something than it is likely you won’t continue it. Therefore, find something you love because it will get you excited and keep you motivated to come back.

When I was pregnant with my second baby I knew I needed to find something that was my own. I happened to stumble upon blogging (hence this blog) and it has become a huge passion of mine! Not only to I enjoy it and want to spend every spare minute of my day working on it but I also am making an income from it. Check out how I started my blog here.

Some other great options to become YOUR THING are

  • DIY
  • Cooking
  • Sewing
  • Watercolor painting
  • Etsy shop
  • Freelancing
  • YouTube channel
  • Gardening
  • Yoga

There are so many things out there that will give you that much needed fulfillment when you are no longer working. There are also many jobs you can do as a stay at home mom but make sure it will fit within your schedule and it is something that you’ll want to keep working on.

8. Set Goals? Why become a SAHM?

We all have our bad days. They are inevitable but you can do something about them. Remind yourself why you became a stay at home mom in the first place. What is your purpose?

Think about your child’s perspective and how they count on you for everything. You are their world!

It truly is a blessing to be a stay at home mom so remind yourself that you get to be with your baby and raise them the way you want to. Think about your goals as mom. How do you want your child grow up? What do you want to teach them? Most importantly what kind of mom do you want to be?

Making goals for yourself gives you something to work towards and will remind you of your purpose.

9. Self care

Motherhood is 24/7 but that does not mean you shouldn’t get a break. Self care is crucial and quite frankly not given enough attention in today’s world.

Get some sleep or have a night out with hubby or friends. Pamper yourself with a massage or getting your nails done. Incorporate self care into your daily routine such as meditation, skin care or a nice hot bath at the end of the day.

You cannot be a good mom if you do not take care of yourself first. As flight attendants say on a plane when discussing emergency procedures, “You need to put the mask on yourself first before putting one on someone else.”

10. Enjoy the little things

Last but not last, enjoy the little things. The day may feel long but the years are short. Kids grow so fast and before you know it they will be 18 and off to college.

Sit back, laugh a little and enjoy the small moments that pass by in the blink of an eye. You will begin to relax more throughout your long days and appreciate the precious moments with your kids.

Staying sane as a stay at home mom is all about finding a balance.

Once you find that sweet spot you will be more than happy as a stay at home mom.

If you are still on the fence of whether you should work or be a stay at home mom just remember that staying home with your baby is a job. Therefore treat it like one by getting ready for the day, creating a schedule, staying organized and setting goals. This will then allow you to reap the benefits by getting to watch your baby reach every milestone and simply enjoying the little things in life.

You may also like, “How to work from home with a toddler.”

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