A few months ago I quit my job to be a stay at home mom with my son, who was not yet a year old at the time. It was the first time I didn’t have to go to school or work everyday since summer vacations as a middle school kid. My days, for the most part were totally open to do what I wanted, of course, slightly dictated by the nap and meal schedules of a very small human.
We kicked off this new adventure with a two week trip to visit my sister. After returning from our trip (and doing about three days worth of laundry) it really set in that this was a new lifestyle, and it was going to be an adjustment. I took a little time ‘off’ from the real world to just hang out with my little man playing, singing, reading, and having fun. However, I was concerned my son lacked interaction with people his size, so we soon started going to library story times and I started paying more attention to the event invitations from the moms groups I had joined. This was the biggest help for not only a new mom, but a new, at home mom. The other expert moms (as I secretly called them) knew all the places kids liked, what hours the good places were open, and if we needed sand toys or not. It wasn’t smooth sailing at first, but I have eventually joined a weekly play group and met some really wonderful moms – some who work, some who don’t and some who are figuring out this new role, like myself.
Our first group play date, where we were the only ones to show because of the rain!
In addition, I started connecting more with my existing friends who are home during the day. Some working (afternoons or evenings) and some not. Some local, some not. This allowed me a little more adult conversation and yes, sometimes venting – which all moms need, whether we admit it or not. I was finally able to spend some time with my local SAHM friends, which had been hard while I was working. We do routine zoo trips when the weather is cooperative.
Morning selfies, because we have time for that now 🙂
Fun at playgroup, where we weren’t the only ones to show up!
Based only on my experience, moms groups are really key, whether you are SAHM or not. Learning from experts is really valuable, and it helps to meet people who have been where you are, and are still going through growing pains, no matter how old their kids are. An added bonus is if they live close by and also have supportive husbands who can appreciate the need for a moms night out. While I love libraries and plan to get into the story time swing again, for such a small guy, I didn’t think it was as interactive (kid to kid) as I had imagined. Now that Jake is more mobile and independent I’m back to looking at when the times and locations are. Finally, I have decided that the term SAHM needs to be revised to AHM. I find I very rarely stay home. We are always visiting a new park, meeting with play group, or out and about doing errands. It sometimes feels like I am busier now than before, which is exactly what I was hoping for when I quit my job. The less Jake is inside a daycare (or any building) and the more he gets outside, exploring his environment is really the best experience I can provide for my children. It has taken a few months, but I love my new ‘job’ and all the perks that come with it.
