Which of these can we help you with?
→ I want
to spend time with my kids
→ I just need to relax
→ My house
is out of control!
→ I need
help eating better foods
→ I need
help with money
→ I want
to enjoy my husband
→ I
need
to take better care of myself
→ I just
need a smile and a sanity boost
Top 10 Ways to Stay Sane as a Stay at Home Mom
by Nicole Dean
The other day, someone asked me what it's like to be a stay at home
mom. How could I possibly
describe life as a stay at home mom? Only someone who's lived it can
understand the juggling act it requires.
Working from home the last few years, I've picked up a few handy
tips. They aren't magic beans, that, when planted, will grow you a
nanny and a housekeeper, but they can help you to enjoy being a stay
at home mom just a little bit more.
10. Freezer Cooking!
This is my personal life-saver. Spend one day during the week or one
day each month assembling meals and your reward is a freezer filled
with food. Then, when it's time to make dinner, just grab a healthful,
inexpensive meal from your freezer, heat it up and serve. Think about
it. Next time you cook dinner, quadruple the recipe and put what you
don't eat into the freezer for later. Presto! Magic food will appear
in your freezer the next time you need it.
9. Pay it Forward- By helping others, it reminds us that many of
our own problems are much smaller than they appear. Whether you donate
money, give blood, or volunteer your time, you are setting a beautiful
example for your children. Involve your older kids and make
volunteering a family activity.
8. Stay
Healthy - Dust off your rollerblades, strap a pillow across your
bottom and hit the pavement. Or surprise your children and the dog
with a nice long walk.
7. Organize, organize, organize your
Home! If
you're spending hours each week sorting through piles of paper,
looking for receipts or "to do" lists, that is wasted time and
unnecessary frustration. Sweep the Magic 8 ball, the empty jar of
peanuts, the Slinky, and the Snickers wrapper off your desk right now.
You can do it!
6. Save Money with Frugal Ideas - As Benjamin Franklin
wrote in Poor Richard's Almanac "A penny saved is a penny earned."
Work at home moms know how hard it can be to earn a penny. So, do
everything you can to save those hard-earned cents.
5. Time Management - Don't let
Time Stealers make you work any longer than you need to. When you're
sitting in front of your computer or talking on the phone, that is
time away from your children. Always remember your "why". WHY are you
working from home? If the reason is to spend more time with your kids,
then figure out how to make that happen!
4. Learn and Learn some More! - Find a mentor or someone who you
like the way they handle their business. Network with other moms who
are successful, take online classes, or hire a coach. Invest in
yourself and you'll invest in your business.
3. Play with your Kids - Whether you sit down to play a board game,
or drive Hot Wheels around the carpet, there's always fun to be had.
If you need some ideas, check out
http://www.ShowKidsTheFun.com
2. Keep your sense of humor. Laugh every day! Turn off your
computer, put in your copy of The Village People "YMCA" (I know you
have one) and Dance! Dance! Dance!
And the number one way to stay sane as a Stay at Home Mom .....
1. Always remember "The days are long, but the years are short."
Although it oftentimes feels like the days drag by as a work at home
mom, remember that the years are flying by. It's that reminder that
keeps me grounded on days when the projects are heavy and the beach is
calling. If you're looking for me, you can find me at the beach!
Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane Mom behind
http://www.showmomthemoney.com - helping WAHMs Succeed. If you
want to be a successful and mostly-sane work at home mom, too, don't
miss Nicole's free tutorial at
http://www.showmomthemoney.com/free-tutorial.htm
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