No, the baby isn't born yet.
I closed my computer Friday knowing that I'd be free to play mom for 3 whole months. Glorious! I don't believe I've ever finished a Friday with quite so much satisfaction and contentedness.
All my life what I've really wanted was to be a stay-at-home mom. Cub scouts, PTA, room mother, and play groups. Keep the house clean, make dinner, and iron shirts.
OK, I'm not really domestically inclined when it comes to house cleaning, cooking, or ironing; but I figure those are well worth the price, right? At least keep the house livable?
It's all part of my dream.
We kicked off the motherhood job with Lizzy's very first pukey night Sunday night, so day 1 included cleaning Lizzy's sheets and jammies and cloroxing the floor around her bed. (I'm glad she's got hardwood floor and not carpet.) We also read some books and she amused herself for a good while so I could sort out some bills and budget a bit. Then, as it was a snowy day, we went to a nice big mall and took a couple circuits through. (One of the bits of advice the midwife gave to move things along was to walk.)
So today is day 2 and I'm not sure what to do with myself and Lizzy. She's snuggled up on my lap as I type and I love it.
So, all my friends with experience at this, what do you do with your days? How do you make the most of them? What can I do to be great at my new job?
Of course, in a few days I'll be flat on my back and have plenty to keep me busy, like trying to sleep in between feedings with a lively toddler bouncing around and poking at the new baby.
Still, in the Fall I'm planning to switch careers for good, so I should establish good habits now. Advise me, o wise and experienced ones.
1 year ago
4 comments:
Oh, I am really good at staying home all day. And I don't have kids, so that should say something about my creativity. I usually fill my spare days with Law and Order SVU, and baking banana bread (or similar). Of course a good book, and a trip to Target or the mall doesn't hurt either. Okay, so I'm not super productive. When I'm really bored on a day that I'm not babysitting, I get a good work out in, come up with menus ideas for the week, clean out the fridge, talk to my family for hours on the phone, make food for the freezer, or going to the arboretum (I can't wait until it's warm enough.)I don't like to put myself on a schedule because it makes me want to rebel. I do whatever the house needs or go wherever the wind blows me (and unfortunately for KC, it usually blows me in the direction of a shopping facility.)
Seriously though, take advantage of having one child, and let yourself relax a little. That's what I'm doing.
You know my problem is not that there isn't plenty to do (you can always wash some sheets, mop a floor, make some bread) it's just there isn't one dang thing that I want to do!
Advice, though? Remember the important things. What are your end goals? Establish some special Lizzy time now (maybe when Dad will be around to help with baby) and make it a point to do it every day. Make learning fun for her so she will enjoy school. Oh, and prepare a family home evening! As for the housecleaning, who needs it?
My advice for the here and now: relax and keep snuggling with Lizzie! I wish I were the perfect housewife, but I'm not. I wish I were the perfect mom, but I'm not. I have figured out, though, that I've GOT to spend time everyday with each kid. Spreading the love is the best task you can do in your job!
There's always much to be done! I know when I first quit my job to be a SAHM I thought I'd be crazy-bored, and I was for a week or two. Then I adjusted, and now I can always find things to do around the house, take a walk, read a book, do Chloe's exercises, do my exercises, work on a project (i.e. my latest Photoshop obsession).... but I agree with Shelly. The most important is to just 'be present' with the kiddos. You are fabulousness in motion, so of course you will figure this all out.
Ironing? I never do that.
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