SAHM-Rock it!

I have been a stay at home mom since Max was born.  We had decided early on that this was the plan.    It was an easy decision and by my ninth month of pregnancy not only was I counting down the days till Max's arrival, but I was counting down my last days in the office.  I had senior-itis big time.

I never really understood the conflict with the SAHM and working mom.  The common denominator is mom. That is who we are and what we do.  I believe both scenarios deserve mass props.  I don't believe one is easier than the other.  And I feel as woman, we owe it to one another to support each other.  It's hard enough as it is parenting.  We don't need the extra bullshit.

With that said, I am not going to say I never get that insecure feeling when someone asks me "what I do".  I am working on that.  Progress not perfection!

My job is important and fantastic!  Anyways, I came across this article an liked it hope you enjoy!

This is for the SAHM's out there and how to rock that job!

7 WAYS TO ROCK BEING A STAY AT HOME MOM

APRIL 21, 2014 BY KATIE JOINER 9 COMMENTS

Being a stay at home mom is the hardest job that I’ve ever done. Click here for article 

I’m the boss, lunch lady, custodian, teacher, and play mate.  I wash dishes while singing to my kids, make upgames for us when we’re stuck inside, and try to get both of my kids to play together (nicely).  There are so many hats that I wear as a stay at home mom, but there are a few things that make the job easier.

1.) GO ON…SAY IT: I ROCK AT BEING A MOM!

Was it hard to say?  I think it’s so important to remind ourselves every day that we rock as a mom. Write it on a mirror, tuck a note in your wallet, or say it out loud!  The more we say it, the more it becomes a part of who we are.

2.) DEFINE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AS A STAY AT HOME MOM

Have you ever sat down and talked with your partner about your expectations as a stay-at-home Mom?  There are so many stigmas about what a stay-at-mom is or isn’t, but YOUR expectations are what matter most.  Figure out what a stay-at-home mom means for your family because it looks different for each and every family.

3.) STOP COMPARING TO OTHER MOMS

This is a shout out to all moms: don’t compare yourself with other moms.  Look, your parenting, your choices, and your kids are completely different from the Mom next to you.  Cut out the comparisons and we’ll all be happier moms!

4.)  FIND BALANCE

If you’re like me, then being super social with other moms might not be your strength.  Or, you might LOVE being social all day long.  We’ve found that staying super social in the mornings (for my daughter) and relaxed in the afternoons (for me) keeps us both happy all week long.  Striking that balance will help keep each of you filled up and relaxed.

5.) BE YOUR BIGGEST FAN

This is the case in any job – I know – but, the thing about being a stay at home Mom is that you don’t have a lot of feedback.  There’s no boss giving you employee of the month and no co-workers saying, “you rock!”  Instead, you have to believe in yourself and the choices you make all day long.  Remind yourself often that you are amazing.  You are doing the best you can.  You are a great mom.

6.)  FIND A COMMUNITY

Tap into a community of people for you and for your kids.  Dance class and art class have been a wonderful way for us to form a community.  Neighbors have provided that for us as well.  But, the hardest part of being a stay-at-home mom is that you can get isolated.  No one wins when you’re isolated.  Contact your local community college, parks and recreation, or any place in your area that can connect you with classes or a community.

7.)  FIGURE OUT A ROUTINE

There is a level of flexibility that we have by being stay-at-home moms that can work against us.  You wake up, don’t get dressed, and suddenly your stare at the clock and it’s mid-afternoon.  Doing that consistently will throw you and the kids off, so be sure to build in a flow or routine that happens every single day while your home – especially if you have little ones in the house who thrive on routines.

Perhaps most importantly, remember that you matter.

Remember your passions outside of your kids.  Remember what got you excited before you had kids.  Remember to nurture all parts of yourself so that you truly can ROCK at being a healthy, happy mom!

Join the community on our Facebook page and tell us how you are rocking it as a stay at home mom 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Joiner is a happy-at-home Mom. She's got an almost 4 year-old and "oh-so close" to 1 year-old. When she's not busy saving her cats from the kids and trying to figure out what's for dinner, she can be found admiring, dreaming, and playing the day away with her family. Come over and say hi on her FB page, @Happilyevermom, or Google +.