* Your Husband, also needs to help you, and so that you CAN have time alone to do what you want. Even if by yourself. Even if spending 1 hour at a bookstore. THAT is something, any Husband with kids, needs to do, FOR his Wife. It does not matter if the Husband works and you don't. A Wife/Mom, is human and NEEDS to have, "off" time, too.
Tell your Husband.
My Husband is good about that.
For example: My Husband washes the dishes, on many occasions. My Husband is the one that takes our kids to their weekend lessons. Therefore, I have a "break" and do as I please at that time. I am the one that takes our kids to their week-day, activities. So we toggle off and take turns. It is FAIR, for us. And hence, the kids SEE us, as parents of BOTH genders... helping each other and DOING and being, a parent. Not just the "woman" doing everything. Although as a Mom, I do most things and am able to.
The thing is, even if you are a SAHM, your Husband is a parent too and a partner in this. So he is or should be, a part of the "solution" too. Meaning, you need time off or to yourself. Say so. And then do it. Leave the kids with Hubby. He is a parent too. Just because you are the "woman" or the "SAHM" it does not mean, you are the 24/7 always open, corner convenience store and maid or child rearing/entertainer every day or every minute. Husband, has to help, too. That is therefore, helping the Wife and what she needs to do as a person, too.
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I have been a SAHM since my 1st child was born. She is now 11.
Sure some days are bonkers and tiring.
But I never felt burnt out or bored or anything.
Its up to me to choose my attitude.
But some days are harder than others.
That will happen even if you work.
Even if you don't have kids.
All people, no matter if they are a parent or not, may feel burnt out or not, sometimes.
Or feel everything is mundane.
Anyway, now I work part-time. (because I work at a school, I have the SAME hours and days off/holidays/vacations as my kids. Hence, I can still be home with them even if I have 2 part-time jobs at the school). I did that on purpose, and chose those jobs, on purpose.
I am school staff and a Sub Teacher.
I like it.
And my kids like seeing me at their school.
And it is stimulating and I like the people I work with.
But anything, has headaches to it, no matter what you do.
Parent or not.
Any kid, when/if they attend daycare or Preschool or once they enter elementary school... will have to adjust. Sooner or later.
How much time you spend with the kids and family, is up to you and how you manage your off hours and family time, and "me" time.
And per how your kids are and their level of needs or happiness etc.
Old self or new self or different self.
Well, that is up to you.
If you feel you need a change, then dig deep and see what you need.
SAHM or working, all people can feel that way, man or woman.
It is not only SAHMs, that feel that way or not.
And if a person starts to "resent" their life or their kids or their daily routines.. then you need to decide, to change that.
Because resentment... is not always the "fault" of one's family or kids or routines. It is personal.
And even if you are busy, with your own stuff/hobbies/jobs etc., is that going to make you feel peaceful and satisfied?
Each person is different.
But you cannot change that there are kids who are going through their own developmental phases and needs. So hopefully, speaking for myself... we ebb and flow with it, and you can still enjoy it and find special moments to really relish... the kids even if they are having bad days... and relish yourself too, as a person.
Kids and family, do not define, you.
You define yourself, and how you feel about yourself.
Even if I have been a SAHM for so long, and always there for my kids, I don't feel empty or resentful or that I 'lost' myself.
I know who I am. And what I am.
I'm not just "Mommy" and faceless. I am, me.
Even single people, can feel like how you feel.
Even very busy people with tons to do and with social interaction can feel as you do.
It is not just SAHMs that feel that way.