Hey girls! I recently started my own event planning business and quit my full time job. I think i need to work a couple of days during the off season to stay sane. I have worked sine i was 14 and am going nuts! Don't get me wrong i love my children 2 & 11 yrs. But am not used to being home so much. I worked with the public so saw an average of 200+ people a day and now only have limited interactions with adults. My husband works 2 job so is gone from 10 am til 11 pm or later. Any ideas of free or very low cost things to keep me and munchkins occupied. Money is tight since we go on his income only now! :(
Such relief to know I;m not the only one :) So far we have hit the mall for playland, and will look into fee museum days this week. It was nice to read a good book while my munchkin got some kiddie time. Thanks again mama's
Are you a member of a gym? After my second was born I started going most days and met a few other moms that usually went around the same time. It was nice to have an adult to talk and get some exercise in.
The world of an at-home mom is a lonely place! Check out your local library for kids programs for both of your kids. Look into joining your local YMCA. I assume your 11 yo is in school during the day, maybe find a MOPS group near you to find playmates for you AND your 2 yo!
I think the biggest trap SAHMs fall into is that the days blend into O. another. Try to have a goal or activity to do every day or you will loose your mind! lol
Try some playgroups. Moms club or MOPS (you can google them for your area). the Library has story time. Gymnastics centers usually have a toddler play time you could check into.
Good luck.
SAHM life can be very lonely! Here are some things I have done to help my sanity. Take what you want and disregard the rest ...
* MOPS
* some museums have free admission days
* local park
* garage sales/thrift stores with a friend (even if it's just "window shopping"), then lunch in the park
homeschool/homeschooling groups
* volunteering -- food bank, church, women's shelter, yard work for someone who can't, etc.
* hire a sitter 1/wk (trade services/children) to have some "me" time
* be a "tourist" in your hometown -- chamber of commerce has ideas/info
* walks in the neighborhood -- it's amazing what you can see and who you meet while walking
* if you are so inclined: ask God where He wants you/what He wants you to do -- then see what happens :)
* be intentional -- plan ahead -- have a routine -- so when you start feeling isolated and depressed, you have something to get you going
* let older child make dinner 1/wk
Congratulations on pursuing your dream!!! :)
My favorite low cost things are story time and picking out new books and movies at the local library, going to another mom's house (new toys for your little one and adult conversation for you), a local toy store to toy test and buy something small, or the play area at your local mall. Good luck. It does wonders for your mood to get out doesn't it?
Being a SAHM has been a difficult one for me as well. I have a little girl who will be 3 in about a week and a 5 month old little boy. I make sure I get out by myself for at least an hour in the morning to go to the gym. Then we found some inexpensive, indoor swimming lessons for our daughter, gymnastics and story time an our local library. Moms groups are a terrific thing to become involved in also as others have mentioned, we have a weekly Mommy-and-Me with some other ladies and their kiddos from church. Look in to classes by your local Parks and Recreation, too. Good luck, it is quite an adjustment but it really can be just as rewarding to raise kiddos as a SAHM as working out of the home. Good luck on your new business btw!
Assuming that your 11 year old is in school most of the day, I would suggest that you get out with your two year old. I know some SAHMs who have a membership at the children's museum (start at $40 annual). Classes like gym classes are a bit more expensive, but when you do them with the city (parks and rec) they are still affordable - this is a great way to meet other parents! There are also open gym times at pretty much all community centers around Seattle, that are $2 a day per child.
Hi Liz, congrats on the new biz and getting to be a SAHM. As previously posted... it can be lonely, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I second the YMCA suggestion. It has been great for me from dropping the babe in the "Infant Room" and taking a yoga class or jumping on the tread mill to taking the babe swimming durring parent/tot time. They also offer a "Parents Night Out" for members, which is great if you could pin your hubby down for a date. Also, you may want to consider 1 day of care for your 2 yo. I think that is a good age to begin to socialize your child and I'm sure it would be great for you to have a day to focus solely on your business. Best of luck!
I would join some mom groups/playgroups Meetup.com has lots of great groups, im sure you could find one right in your area!!
Check the Coop-Preschools in your area. Great way to meet other parents, to watch first hand your child development and have your kid make friends. Most of them offer shcolarships for families with low incoms. Good luck!
Go to meetup.com and find a mom's group in your area. It has been a sanity saver for me!
I recommend you join a Moms Club of some kind. MOMS Club international is a good one.
Lots of activities to entertain the kids while mommies can visit.
