When I first became a stay-at-home mom, I was excited. I knew it would come with challenges, but I didn’t think I would ever be as tired as I already was. Then I became a stay-at-home mom, and boy, did my life change. Here are the benefits of being a stay at home mom.
I thought my life was going to be easier. And it is. Easier than trying to do it all working. Let’s be honest, though. I have this because I have a husband who works his ass off so I can stay home with the kids.
So let’s move into what this post is really about. And that is the greatest benefits of being a stay-at-home mom, as I see it!
Skip the Traffic
One of my biggest complaints used to be my drive to and my drive from work. First, there was how early I had to get up. For a start time of 6 am I had to leave the house by 5, which means I had to get up at 4.
Then there was the traffic. If I left by 5, I would gett there by 5:20, but if I left by 5:30 or even 5:20, then I would not show up until after 6, and I would be late and get a mark. 4 marks and you were fired. Another reason I’m glad to not be there anymore:)
Not to mention the stop-and-start traffic of going home, where I felt like I almost got into an accident on the way home. Every day! The freeway is confusing, and every day they make it worse.
More Time
One of the biggest assets is time. And when I quit my job to stay home with my kids, the biggest thing I got in return was time. I went from working hard to staying home. I still work hard but it’s at home doing things like the floor.
Time with kids
I was wondering what it would be like to be home with my kids. To watch them get on the bus and pick them up from said bus. I no longer had to have a babysitter for before-school or after-school care. I now had them all the time. Correction. I now have them all the time. Even when they are at school, I am here waiting. It is a nice feeling.
But again, I have this blessing because my husband takes care of us. If I had to work, I would not have this freedom to be here with them. And the cost of childcare would mean all my checks every month.
Time for self-care
Another thing that I have more time for is self-care. As a working mom, I would skip showers sometimes because I was just so tired. I would say in a minute, and after I rest, but then I would forget with all the busyness of motherhood.
But self-care is more than just taking a shower everyday. Though my family appreciates my showering. Self-care for me is being able to write when I need to and walk when I need to. Taking care of my emotions is just as important as taking care of my body.
But self-care could also be making that bathtime like a meditation block of time. Light some candles, put on some music or meditaion sounds and rock on! Dunk your head under the water and feel a washing inside and out.
Recharging yourself
Time for you so you can recharge too. Let’s be real running a household is a lot of work. Noone thinks about the endless laudry basket or the sink of dishes that just fills up all by itself. Trash on the floor, dust around every corner and don’t even get me started on the bathrooms!
So yes go have a bath, and write in your journal and just sit for one minute
Keeps Routines Easy
I might be a bit backwards with this one. Did I make the routine to make my life easier or did the time to make my routines make it easier. When I was working my routine was always the work routine. The kids came after the job. Sorry to say it but that’s how it was.
Now, we have a morning routine and an evening routine. We have a bathtime routine and a homework routine. I even have my cleaning routine. But the routine came by making a habit. And the habit is what made my life easier. So creating the good habit to begin with was what made my life easier!
The benefits of being a stay at home mom are rewarding but sometimes the hours are long and the patience thin. So making sure I’m up to par is a good thing.
