Advice for Transitioning from Working Mom to Stay at Home Mom

I do not have any advise on websites or anything to incorporate what you are asking into your day (although I think it is a great questions, and can't wait to hear the response).

Just wanted to share that my daughter was 2 years old when I decided to take her out of daycare and be a SAHM. I thought that she would miss "school" and ask about it, her friends, teachers, etc.. She could have cared less, I have been home now for 9 months and she hasn't asked about her school once.

Some advise from a mom who worked, then went to a SAHM... Do not get mad at yourself when you do not get as much done as you think you will. I constantly beat myself up thinking I was going to have all the time in the world to get things done around the house, hahaha! Then there are the days that I beat myself up because I have done stuff around the house all day and the house looks great, but I haven't played with my daughter. It is ok and you will find a balance, so don't stress about it.

Enjoy the time with your kids and everything else will fall into place. Good luck, and congrad's... You are going to have the best job in the world.

I have a couple of books that have activities in them:

Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready
Little Hands to Heaven

These cover ages 2-5. Go to a home school store for even more ideas.

We read lots here at my house. Every day we read picture books, poetry, and at least one chapter from a novel.

We also play board games and card games. Uno is great for matching colors and numbers. My son has been playing that since he was two. Then there's the classics Candyland, High Ho Cherry-o, Memory, etc.

We also go to story time at the library and get a craft on their topic for the week. My little one has tagged along since she was three weeks old and loves it, too.

My #1 piece of advice to anyone becoming a SAHM, whether as a first time mom or as a transition such as you is find a good support group of moms. I am so incredibly thankful for my moms group and don't know what I would do without them. A moms group provides you with playdates for your children, moms to have adult interaction with (something you will miss), and people to give advice and support as well as people to switch off babysitting for those daytime appointments and emergencies that come up. If you are interested in out group, feel free to join us. We are in far north Carrollton and even have a few members from The Colony. We have plenty of active 2 and 3 year olds! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarrolltonMoms/

As far as things to do, that will come naturally. Don't fret over them having downtime. At this age, just about everything is enriching. One of my 2 y.o. son's favorite activities is simply going to Target! There is plenty to learn there too if you think about it. Check out your local library for story times too. You may even want to consider a 1 or 2 morning a week MDO once your baby arrives. That would keep your 2 y.o. in a part-time social environment as well as give you bonding time with your baby.

I HIGHLY recommend joining a mom's group...they will be your new "co-workers"!! I've belonged to a MOMS Club chapter for 7 1/2 yrs, and would not have survived as a SAHM without it!! You can look for a chapter in your area at www.momsclub.org

I left my job the day after my son turned 1 at the end of June. I couldn't be happier! It is a transition, though. Probably the hardest for me is getting a break, and not feeling guilty about it. On days that my son is cranky, for whatever reason, I want my husband to step up and take care of our son when he gets home from work. But then I feel guilty b/c I know my husband has been working all day (he's a mechanic, so it's a physically demanding job, and outdoors), and he needs a break, too. It's hard to find a balance so that both of us find time to relax. On weekends, I'm ready to go and do something just to get out of the house! But as a whole, my husband and I are so thrilled that we found a way to make it work on only his income! I am actually far less-stressed, because it was like I was working 2 full-time jobs before. It has been better for my marriage, and has made it easier to enjoy time with my son.