Now that I've been a stay-at-home-mom for almost half a year, I'm practically a pro, right? Wrong. I learn something new every day. I am still figuring out what works, how to manage my time, and make everyone happy.
My friend Meagan asked some of us Twitter mamas about our typical day, when do we work out, shower, clean, play with the kiddos, etc. I replied that I don't have a "typical day", really. Our days vary and we take each one as it comes to us. Sure we have our weekly Story Time date every Wednesday, but other than that we are free spirits, if you will.
As for getting things done, well that's the tricky part. Thankfully Kendall is a "helper", meaning she loves to do whatever I'm doing. If you have a "helper" you know what this means, it takes twice as long to get something done. Sometimes I try to tidy up a bit while she's contained, like eating in her highchair, I usually have to do whatever at lightening speed but at least I don't have little hands following behind me messing up everything I just did. The other day I was sorting a basket of socks and I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to have her "help". She's smart so I figured she'd love to match up all the random socks. Boy was I wrong. She put them on her feet, made sock puppets, and everything besides match them up. But? It was fun, she got a kick out of it and I was able to get them matched while she played with a few stragglers we had left over.
Most days Kendall gets up around 7:30-8, I usually stay in bed till I hear her making noise. Lucky for me she wakes up super happy so I can leave her in her room for about 30 minutes before she starts to get upset. In that time I get up, get my coffee, catch up on the DVR and even blog. It's amazing what one can get done in 30 minutes when there is no toddler running around demanding "mo'ore!doe-rah!f{r}uit!{s}nacks!".
If we go somewhere for the day it's usually in the morning, before nap. Now that summer is here that usually means we go to the pool. The best thing about pool before nap is it means she usually sleeps for 3 1/2-4 hours! Hello! During nap is when I get my work out in. I can get in some good miles on the treadmill, bust out my 30 Day/300 Ab Challenge, get a shower in and usually have time to eat lunch in silence too.
Jimmy gets home around 4 most days and we have been eating dinner by 5-5:30. Can I tell you, right now, that this is probably my favorite thing about being a SAHM? I mean when I worked I didn't get home till close to 6, sometimes after, and that meant dinner wasn't until 7 ish. Meaning KP couldn't eat with us because she goes to bed. So now we eat, as a family, and early! Love. Jimmy usually plays with Kendall while I clean up dinner and pack his lunch for the next day {that's his favorite part of me being a SAHM, no more packing his own lunch, something he's been wanting me to do for years}. I love that he gets home so early because we have lots of family time in the evenings now. We have been taking full advantage too and we go to the pool, hit up the local farmers market, or go get ice cream.
One thing I've realized since becoming a SAHM is that I should have done it sooner. Kendall and I have become so close and it just makes me think we'd be that much closer had we started this from day 1. She's super affectionate with me, is so smart, and even though some days are trying they beat a day in an office any day. She randomly gives me hugs and kisses {which she never did before},she tells me I'm her best friend, nothing melts a mom's heart more than that.
That's not to say we don't struggle, because we do. The money has been a BIG adjustment and one that we are still getting used to. Jimmy told me, "we can't keep living like you have a job" and he was so right. I canceled the cable to save us $60 a month and I thought it was going to be the end of the world and I actually like it. I wish I would have done it sooner. But that's still not enough so I'm constantly trying to figure out ways for us to save, easier said than done. So if you have any money saving secrets, please share!
So yeah, my life as a stay at home mom and wife. It may not be a glamorous one but it's one I wouldn't trade for all the tea in China.
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Ahhhhh. Sock puppet KP. THE LOVE!!! <3
ReplyDeleteOh man...I am so envious of your life. We need to have a 'how you got to be a SAHM' chat because I so need to make this happen.
ReplyDeleteI think canceling cable is one of the biggest money savers! that is mine and Gregg's constant on-going fight. I think cable is a waste of money, and he thinks it's totally worth it. I'm actually jealous that you guys don't have it lol.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I am in the exact same shoes you were after you had Kendall. I remember how much you wanted to be a SAHM and in time God gave you that blessing! I am only praying that happens for me. I would give anything to stay home with H, but it just seems impossible for us right now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is too personal, but do you guys have any loans or anything? I went to a private college and have a large student loan which now I am regretting.
I am so happy for you that you are able to stay home with Kendall. You guys are going to have such a wonderful relationship as she continues to get older too!
awww! i wish I could do it too. You are rocking the SAHM business!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Britt. This is something I want so badly and we just can't seem to get ourselves on the right track!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to join this club! TWO MORE DAYS!!!!
ReplyDeleteLB
www.accordingtol.com
I love this post. I love being a SAHM too...the most rewarding job ever! I wish I could give up cable to save some money, but I just haven't been able to yet. I love watching my trashy reality tv shows at night and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteKyla likes to "help" fold laundry and empty the dishwasher. And I used to make my husband's lunch, but haven't been since I've been pregnant and miserable. I should really start up again, he loved it :)
So sweet! Glad it's going so well for you guys.
ReplyDeleteWe've gone with out cable since K was born, but I'm looking into setting up a Roku and getting netflix so K can watch her precious "Do-rah"(yup, we're obsessed too) and I can have some time to get a few things done around the house. I can work 8 bucks in to the budget for that!
ReplyDeleteHow did you get her to sleep until 7:30? Didn't she use to be a super early riser?
ReplyDeleteMy biggest money saving technique is to stay out of the grocery store. I make a list and only go oncee per week. I was spending way too much when I jut run in for something quick. That something quick always costs me $50.
Oh and don't go to Target either.
Thanks for the shout out! I'm glad you did this post! I never got around to organizing that link up. We've kind of got our routine figured out. I'm sure we'll all be asking the two mommas how they do everything when that time comes. I might have to do a money saving tips post! I've kind of done one before. I pay $21 including tip for a haircut like every 10 weeks sometimes I go longer. Hubs' haircuts are like $10-15. Maybe You could shave Jimmy's head and it would be free! I clicked your ad to give ya some $. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't even take how stinkin cute KP is!!! And you are rocking the SAHM gig mama! I hear you on all accounts! :)
ReplyDeleteShannon, you rock the SAHM thing..and KP gets cuter every day!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't downgraded my cable yet...but I WILL!
Start couponing! If you go to my facebook page and find my groups you will see a list of all the coupon people I follow....You will save a lot especially since you have a wee one in the house! IT works and these ladies that I follow have actually paid off debt and buy a whole lot using their savings and being SAHM! Good luck Shannon you can do it!
ReplyDeleteDottie
Food is such and easy place to cut back. When I was in school and we were living on one income I became obsessed with grocery shopping, reading all the ads, clipping coupons and I started going to Aldi as well which saved us a good deal of money each month.
ReplyDeleteWe only eat out twice a month, pack our lunches everyday and eat all of the leftovers on Friday night. We also got rid of our smart phones...I don't think I could get rid of the cable!
I would love to be a SAHM when the time comes but the finance part scares me.
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