Ladies,
My company is closing at the end of April, and right now I have no new job prospects on the horizon. I have a four-year-old son who's been in in-home care or preschool his whole life (my husband and I have both worked full-time), and I'm also due with Boy #2 in June. So, as scary as it will be financially to not have my income (I'll get a tiny bit in unemployment, of course), I'm looking at this as an amazing opportunity to stay home with my son (and then BOTH sons!) for a while, which is such a blessing, even an unexpected one.
As wonderful as this will be for both myself and my son, I admit I'm scared and nervous too. This will be such a transition for all of us; right now the bulk of the household chores usually falls on my husband during the weekends (I'll admit he does the laundry and most of the cleaning; he's amazing!) so obviously I'll take those tasks on once I'm not working full-time. But, how will I plan our long days at home? What are some cost-cutting measures you can advise, for groceries and/or any other household items? We will obviously give up most of our eating out, so I'll be back into the menu-planning mode (which I used to be great at, but during this pregnancy I've been pretty lazy about it). Any great websites out there for cheap easy meals for families?
How will I keep my son entertained and educated, with activities both and home and out in the community? All my son has known, for almost 5 years, is an organized classroom environment full of wonderful teachers and friends. I'm worried about how he'll handle being home with Mommy every day! As blessed as I feel to have this time with him, I worry about if he'll feel like he's "missing out" on all those things... He starts kindergarten in the fall, so once his brother arrives in June it'll be the three of us at home until September. I'm trying to look into karate and swim classes in Carrollton to keep him occupied during the week, but I'm kind of stressing out.
Any advice, moms?! Again, I feel blessed that things have fallen into place like this, to stay home with my boys finally, but am nervous about the transition for all of us. Thanks for your help!!! :)
i'm writing just to say i want to remember to come back and give you some ideas when i have more time. Hopefully this will stick in my memory :)
Get a playgroup. Your son will enjoy the interaction with other kids, but realistically, moms need playgroups, too, for adult interaction during the day, and other moms to commiserate with. Check out meetup.com, and see if you can find one close to you. Your city's website might have a link to local groups, too. Our homeowners association has a website where people in the neighborhood can get together - is that an option for you, too?
Also, check out teacher stores for fun activities to do at home. We got a great book about the human body with printables in it; we've already built the skeleton and are working on the digestive system. And, of course, you get lots of great things from weekly library trips - most have free storytimes, and don't underestimate the value of having it just be part of your regular routine. Because routine is just as important when you stay at home.
Hang in there. This is a big transistion. You'll be okay. We're here if you need us.
I used to dream of the time i'd quit my job to have babies. I imagined I would volunteer, do art, organize like crazy,cook gourmet meals, join a bible study and, and exercise. HA!!!!!!!!! Two kids by yourself is time consuming, trust me, you won't be board.
Did your babysitter or day care provider have time in the day to pursue her interests or agenda? Nope, and neither will you.
I do get out once a week for a bible study group with child programs and thats my adult interactive time. Love it need it.
congrats! it sounds great! i worked my whole life, now im a sahm to 3 littles. its not for everyone, but it is for me! but it was a big adjustment. not so much in how we spend our days, that seems to take care of itself more than i thought it would. i had the most trouble with not earning any money, not contributing $, that kind of thing. but its so great, you are lucky... these little years are so precious and go by so fast. my advice is to go slow, dont over-schedule yourselves. see how it goes once the baby comes and give yourself a break. invest in a good double stroller that can take you everywhere you want to go, easy in and out of the car, etc.... . instead of classes for your son, it might work out better to join a childrens museum, zoo, aquarium, etc that is convenient and has classes as well that you can pop in on when its good for you. i joined our local childrens museum when my 3rd child was born and it was the best thing i ever did. i could go whenever worked for me, there were all kinds of classes for the little ones, plus places where the littles could climb and move, they have an outdoors as well as the nicely air conditioned indoors, rooms with doors, like the music rooms, etc, which was key for me so i could sit with the baby and nurse while the others could roam freely and safely in an enclosed space. we were there at least 3 or 4 times a week, it was awesome. plus when you join, you dont feel pressure to spend the day and get your moneys worth, you can just pop in for an hour or two if you feel like it, or leave when things get cranky. good luck, enjoy it! oh, and get a crockpot :)
Look at going to the park a couple of times a week. What about the reading programs at the library ? I don't know if he is reading yet or not but you can still participate by reading to him. If you attend church somewhere - even don't but are ok with doing it - Vacation Bible School is a great thing for kids. These are just a couple of ideas. This will be a great opportunity to be with your kids !
NO advice other than I envy you! By the way, take the time off during the summer for just hanging out and spending time with each other. When your 5yr old is in school I am sure things will change again for readjustment.
I can't speak to the adjustment issues (but I am sure you will all do fine) but allrecipes.com has thousands of recipes and a weekly menu planner option. Campbell's Kitchen offers budget recipes as does the Hy-Vee (I don't know if you have Hy-Vee stores in Texas) website.
I've been a SAHM for over 2 years now. Best advice is to have a support system of other SAHM! It's very important. I didn't have it for the first 1.5 years of this and I was feeling very lost. I no longer lived near my career friends and wasn't in the office world anymore, I felt very isolated and without any other moms to bounce thoughts, questions, worries off of.
Try to find some kind of local playgroup, neighborhood activities, etc. It will help a lot to stay connected with other people who are cleaning and cooking, and with kids 24/7.
Also, keep something for yourself, like a monthly mani/pedi or a gym membership so you can get away...it's important to have kid-free down time even on a budget.
Enjoy it, even on the stressful days, cherish it and remember you're doing really important work raising the next generation.
Its definately a transition to stay at home, but a rewarding one! I worked full time until we moved here. My sons are 4 and 4 months. As far as saving on groceries, I always try to buy store brands. I know alot of people cut coupons, but Ive found you save by buying the store brands. Also, when you have your new baby (congrats!) I signed up for baby related coupons. That helps alot...Also buying baby products at Sams club in bulk really helps. For easy recipes, you can try kraftfoods.com. They have a ton of easy receipes.
The last posts made good selections for activities like parks and library story times. I dont know if his current school offers summer camps, but if you can afford it, that might still keep in used to the school environment. My son is in preschool now and is going to do 2 summer camps this summer.
The YMCA offers good sports programs for kids. My older son loves playing soccer. It isn't too costly and it's once a week which would be fun. Also, if you have any places that have the inflatables, they usually have like preschool open plays which aren't too expensive. Good luck:)
