Becoming an at Home Mom

Wow, the girls gave you lots of good ideas! I'm home w/the kids in the summer too. My 2 are older now, 11 and 10 and now I have a 14 month old. But when they were your kids ages wow, what did we do? Well, I'm not one that believes you always have to be running. My kids like playing at home alot and w/the neighbors. The sidewalk chalk, babypool, maybe a sprinkler, sandbox swing set are all good ideas for home. Goint to the park, maybe you can sign them up for swim lessons somewhere in your city! The zoo is fun at that age, go for walks, picinics. All great ideas!

S.

Enjoy all the little things that you don't get to do everday with them! Take them to the park and swimming and go have picnics! I am sure you could probably use a break yourself so relax a little...even if it is only for a few weeks!

I have been a stay at home mom for 3 years now. I have a almost 7, 3 1/2 and 20 month old. There are a lot of things to do in the summer. If you live in the Cleveland Ohio area, every monday it is free to go to the zoo. Plus check out different things at your local rec center. The busier you make them, the more sane you will be since they won't be bored. Remeber, play dates, play dates, play dates. Have fun. And good luck
H. K

You live in a great area for lots to do with kids. I've learned a lot from a friend of mine that stays home with her kids. In the summer, she prints out a calendar for each month and puts things on the calendar for 3 or 4 days each week. Things like picking strawberries at a local strawberry farm, going to the downtown library (they show free movies there, too) Trips to the park, it's only a few blocks away, but she puts it on the calendar so they stick to it and the kids look forward to it. You don't want to overwhelm them, or yourself, but if you put jot those things down, you are more likely to stick with it and it organizes your thoughts. There is ton on the internet, check out http://familyfun.go.com/

Enjoy A.! You are going to have a great time...it's the most rewarding work you will ever do!

Dear A.,

Relax! I, too, was afraid of becoming stay-at-home and lost without a job. I work only 2 nights/week while my husband watches the kids now, when I used to work full-time days. You will love it! You get to see the children develop, explore new ideas, and spend quality times together.

Join a MOMS group, and you can find a local chapter through www.momsclub.org. There will be days when you wonder what you are doing. There will be times when the children drive you crazy (for me, it wasn't a long trip). However, you will treasure this time with them as a true gift. After they are grown, they will be happy you were with them.

Don't throw out your executive planner, though. Keep a calendar of activities, appointments, plans. Put all your skills from the work world into raising the kids. Check out www.flylady.net for household helpful ideas. Finally get around to that project you've always wanted to do but were too busy with work. Take time to read to your children every day. Go on picnics just for fun. Bake cookies together.

Honestly, your days will be so busy, you will wonder how you ever found time to work. And, stay in touch.

Best wishes,
K.

Being a SAHM is great. Check out your local library for story time. It's a great way to meet other mom's with children the same age. Have a fun summer!!

A.,

My biggest fear was money. I signed up to rep for a couple of companies that I could work whenever I wanted. If that's part of your fear, there are many companies out there you can start up with and have to pay out little to start (like $10).

Good luck!
J.

Hey A.,my name is C. Im a stay at home mom of 2 girls Bayli is 6 1/2 and Jaedynn is 4 1/2 I have been a SAHM since they were born..Pro..you bond with your child/ren in so many ways its great. Cons .. there is a tendancy to lose yourself in all you do for your family so remember to take time for yourself if you dont already get a membership to the YMCA so that way you and the kids can both enjoy getting out of the house you all get excersize. You also have play groups and such the park things such as those but its all up to you and houw you want to spend your time at the Y they also will watch your kids for and hour and a half a day I think that way you can have time do so something for yurself,swim ,workout etc...I hope some of this helps where exactly do you live.. Im in Miamisburg feel free to contact me by messenger.. behindthesehazeleyes75 if you have any other questions. Im 31 happily married as well

C.

I was teh same way, I had always worked and when i was home it was like ummmmm what do i do with all this time, now i'm a child care provider out of my home and i have no idea where the time goes. summer is a great time to stay home, plant a garden your kids are a little older so they can do so many fun things, go on nature hunts even if it's jsut a walk around your block so teh kids can look for different flowers and leaves and such, you have a lot of great ideas if you want to be out and about but i'm a homebody now so i've come up with a ton if things to do and never have to get in my car. invest in some sidewalk chalk and bubbles and other cheap outdoor toys or even a sand and water table and let the kids play while you work in the yard or get some sun or read a good book, they don't have to be entertained every second tehy can play together like they probally do in the evenings after you get home from work, or you could sign them p for some sports or other group activites, most areas have a lot of summer activities that are free or fairly inexpensive, going down to one income can be ahrd at first, so look into your local parks department and see if they offer any programs, where i live they offer different craft programs at teh local parks on different days and it's all free, and heck even the park can get boring if it's all you do every day. the biggest advice i can give you though is don't be intimdated, teh kids will only behave how you expect them to, really it's true, don't set yourself up to be stressed and confused and overwhelemd all summer or you will be the kids will feed on that and act accordingly, have a schedual, plan some fun activites and go enjoy yourself. have a great summer.

I'm a SAHM and I just want to encourage you to give yourself time to adjust! Don't decide you hate it right away (because you might find yourself bored at first, and it is boring sometimes, but then after awhile you realize how stressed you were before!). I personally don't really have a routine, so if that fits you then go ahead, but it's not necessary. I read that kids just like the simple things in life, so you do not have to always be running around and "doing" something. They just like to know that Mom is home and available. You could learn a new craft with the kids, like baking or sewing, and you could involve the kids with your tasks like cleaning. They may balk at first but if you are doing it with them and patiently teaching them about it as you go, you might find they love to work!
Anyway, there have been lots of good ideas for stuff to do, so I just wanted to put a little different perspective on it.
Blessings,
Lynn

If you live in the Columbus area, check out Columbus Parent Magazine. You can pick up a copy at your local library. While there check out the summer reading program and they will give you a calender of all the events they hold through the summer. The mag lists every possible kid oriented event going on in the city and surrounding areas. The ladies telling you to find a routine are right on track, it makes for smooth days. Just don't forget it is cool to hang out in your pj's all day in the cool a/c and order pizza for dinner. Also don't forget that you need time for just yourself, out of the house and on your own. Have a great time this summer!

just focus your time and energy on your kids instead of your job. you will get the hang of it soon enough. and your children are going to LOVE it! just do all the things you cant do while youre at work like play outside, take them to the park, do arts and crafts or whatever hobbies work best for your family. things like that. just be careful because you might find that you never want to go back to work! and remember that it is very important to still occasionally have some time for yourself and to get together with your own friends.

I would look into play groups and parks in your area. I don't know if you live in the city or in the country. I have an in home day care and I am looking for some sort of play group to get involved in so the kids have some fun activities to look forward to and I have some adult conversation. Also try to have a good routine so the kids know what to expect. I have a schedule for eating and sleeping, if I didn't I would be crazy by now. You can always allow for a special day where the routine goes out the window but for the most part try to stick to it as best as you can.

Hi A. :). There are lots of things to do with your little ones, mine are 5 and 4. I take them to amazone (look it up in the phone book, its great on a rainy day and inexpensive), I have a zoo pass for the Cleveland zoo, I take them to Memphis Kiddie Park (take the time to check it out, its a great way to spend the day and they will love it!) (its in the parma/cleveland area), Findlay park/lake is also great..they have hiking trails, a playground, sandbox, swimming area, etc....I take them around to different community playgrounds, they love that :)...they also love sprinklers in the lawn, picnics anywhere (even in our own yard), I also look for little airplane shows, Train musuem in Medina if they like trains, McDonalds playland is good for rainy days, so is the library. At home they love to paint/draw/color/sing/dance/simon says/hide and seek...lots of things. I am happy to meet or go with you if you are nervous someday :)

This is actually a great deal for u and ur children. U will return back to work after summer (i'd keep that in mind) This really is a time to get in touch with ur children on a whole diff level than ur used too. There r really great ideas the other moms posted. U will find what ur kids like and what u enjoy to do. Im a sthm for a while. Also was the first yr and a half with my daughter. Its not about...what do i do...oh u will be amazed how u still dont hv enough time..lol. Im big on taking certian time to work with my daughter on the things she lacks in. With all the meals( more meals to make and clean up now) and laundry, and etc. u will still be working around it all. I say ENJOY it!! When i start to feel things build up i take off to the park or get out in the evenings myself after hubby gets home so i still hv "me" time. Dont lose it..find time. Get a tan mabye lose a pound or two and feel great all summer long:D Well goodluck. Dont forget to get in touch with friends and family throughout ur summer...u'll be on there bad list without working and still not "making it to the..."
Post later into the summer how things r.
Takecare,
R.

Hello A.!

I work 2nd and 3rd shift and I make each day a different day. On every Monday and Tuesday (my day's off)we go to different parks around Columbus. There is a great one up north off of 23 in Orange Park right past the Wal Mart. On Wednesday, we spend the day baking and cooking. On Thursday, we go to a local pool and swim. On Friday, we go to Easton and play in the water fountains. Then on Saturday and Sunday, they get to pick what to do. I also got a membership to the Zoo and to Cosi. And if you go onto the Columbus Parks and Recreation web site, there are different things to do at different parks almost every day. This is my cheap way of keeping my three kids occupied and they love it!

Good Luck