Sahm's - Decatur,IL

I'm a SAHM of four children. Three of them are in school now, so I'm home with my three-year-old now. I worked until my first child was six, then I got laid off on October 30th that year. The next day her grade was having a costume parade around downtown in our small town. I went to school and went on the parade with her. I was so happy when I took her hand and she said, "Mommy, you get to come with me?! Hurray!" I've never regretted it since that moment. But I know what it's like to know more about the my child's favorite program than any other. And I've spent days in my bathrobe, avoiding any mirror in the house. You have to make yourself get out. Take your child out regularly even though it's more work. In the end, you'll get used to the routine of getting out with your child and you'll find shortcuts to make it easier. And it's better for your child to be out in public so she knows how to behave in public. If you don't take her out regularly, it'll be overwhelming when you do and she may act out. So make playdates, go for walks or to the park. Get a bike and a childseat or trailer and go for a bike ride. Or just roll a ball back and forth on a blanket on the lawn and have a little picnic at lunch time. Check in your area for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group or Mommy and Me group. They understand what you are going through and they're a great resource.

R., You need to try to make your self go out. I know it is hard when you have kids. but I went through depression and didn't want to even go to my mailbox. and your kids see that. you have to make your self go out. Even if it's for a short walk. please if if it gets worse promise me that you will go to talk to someone. it is ok to do that. it doesn't mean your crazy. fresh air and sunlight help you feel better too. I was a SAHM for a long time. not my girls are 13 and 17 I work pt. that might help too. find something you can do one or two days a week and get out and make your self feel good about your self. Good luck Sweetie.

A.

I am also a stay at home mother, and yes there are those days I simply wish to occupy space in my home...especially during the winter! With this awesome weather coming our way, I got a bike with a child seat on back. I take her Everywhere every day, it's been such a god send. Libraries, parks, ice cream, the world is our oyster. I think that's wonderful that you get to spend such quality time with your little girl, mine is going to school this year and I wouldn't trade anything for the time I've had with her...it goes by too quickly!

R.-

How old is your little girl? Yes there are other stay at home Mom's out there, most are hibernating for the winter...hehehe. Now that spring is coming you'll see a lot more of them. They'll be outside walking or taking kids to the park.

What is a typical day like? It depends on the day really, and everyone's moods. My daughter is in a pre-k program and is generally gone in the mornings. My son is 2 and is home all day. They are both very active children and don't sit much. So we are always running around. We walk every day and go to the park almost every day. We also have a huge rec room downstairs, which has become the playroom. It is great for days like today when it is to rainy and muddy to go outside.

This week we are watching 3 extra kids, so the regular schedule has had a little variation this week. It is never to late to get kids on a schedule, so don't beat yourself up. I think it helps. Then they know what to expect and when, it makes them a little easier to handle.

My husband works PM Shift, so I know what you mean about trying to keep kids quiet. Luckily, I only have to do it until about 930 or 1000 AM.

Feel free to message me if you need to talk. I know being a SAHM can seem really lonely sometimes.

Hi R.! I am a SAHM (well I work 1 day a week) with 4yo and 15mo sons. We try to do a playgroup or at least get out of the house twice a week. My older son goes to preschool 2 days a week so I try to focus on my youngest then (or go to the store, etc).

I am in an online Moms group at stlouismoms.net. We have playgroups going on 3-4 times a week and have Moms Night Out at least once a month. It is great way to meet Moms all over the St. Louis area.

Things get much easier as it gets warmer!

Hi R. , I have been a stay at home Mom for 4 years in april... and I think that everyone in the world at some point has days were they don't want to do anything... so just know you are normal...lol

But a typical day for us we stay home& we work on our letter and numbers(even my youngest almost 2)I don't leave the house all that much b/c there aren't alot of other stay at home moms out this way(adn i don't like to have to do alot of running with both of the kids.).. but we play outside ride bikes, we totally don't have a set time for anything.. Except for the day when I watch 2 other children. I think you should totally just enjoy the time you have with your kids now before they go off the school. I hope you have a wonderful day

I am a SAHM. I have 5 kids. I am not sure how old your daughter is or if you have transportation, but they have story time at both book stores in Rockford and most public libraries also have story time on a weekly basis, for free. They also have mommy and me classes through the Y and local park districts. This way you can meet moms with children of the same age that live around your area.
K. S.

I am a SAHM mom of 2 boys. But I homeschool now that they are older, so our typical days would be different then yours :) I have a yahoogroup for rockford parents called RockfordParents. Go to groups.yahoo.com and check us out!

-J.

I'm basically a stay at home mom. I'm trying to find a part time job to help out with our bills but the hours I can work aren't much so I'm not having much luck. A typical day for me is my fiancee gets up with my son who is 2 because my fiancee works at 4 to midnight so he's basically at home until then. I have to take him to work at 4 b.c he doesn't have a license right now, then I have to go get my mom from work because she doesn't drive and then take her places if she needs it and then basically come home and clean the house b.c you know guys they don't help with anything barely and then about 8 or 8:30 I give him his bath,brush his teeth,put on his PJ's read to him and most nights he is in bed at 9 and weekends he goes to my mom's house. If you have any questions feel free to leave me a note.

Hi My son is 15 months now... WE stay home alot.. We have a dish.. so I tivo alot so If he gets up and he still does alot.. I have stuff to watch. hahahah I try to put on audio books in the day I hate to have tv on alot I can tell he is getting more into watching it.. and That is not good.. gerrrr...

But trying to get him more into talking now.. He just stopped...

WE stay home alot.. and When I see dishes over the top of BOTH sides of the sink like humm today.... and well laundry in both washer and dryer and a load that needs done like hummm today.. I will try to get that done....

With a little one alot gets NOT done... at times...

I cant wait till the rain stops and we can go to the zoo...

I have a fear of dogs.. or I would be out walking more... in Bloomington we have a trail to walk.. but too many people have dogs and DOGS off the leachs so I cant go on them....

My big thing was .. I did sit around all day... and do nothing.. Now my house is a mess and I am fatter than I started!!!

So try to get up and about... I did and lost alot!!!! 45 lbs so far...

Bloomington IL

Im a SAHM. I do go to school 2 days a week part time. Ive always been one since my son was born. I love staying home with the kids and I plan on staying home with them until there school age. My daughter she just 6mnths and we plan on having another child anytime now. Ill be a part time SAHM until the young ones reach school age. My son is in Kindergarten. Then Ill work full time after that. Im working on getting an Early childhood teaching certificate. We try to stick to a scedule. In the winter we basically just get out to run errands. Now ill be starting to take her out on walks soon. Once shes starts being mobile Ill take her to the park. You dont miss all here milestones if your a SAHM. Besides I dont like leaving my kids with a babysitter all the time. They end up knowing more about your child then you do if their with them 40 hours a week.

Hi, my name is H. and I have a two year old son.
I've been staying at home over two years now. There are days we are super productive and we learn and explore, etc. But there are days we watch too much tv and break all my own rules. Just enjoy your time and stop worrying. (Unless you think you might be depressed, then you should see a doctor. When my son was first born I did. It's so much better now) This time goes by very fast. Plus I like to remember how fortunate we are and figure both our lives could be far worse. There are children who are suffering in this world, my son will not be too worse off because of McDonald's for lunch or too many cartoons. Sure you wish the house was immaculate and you spend hours learning, but your love will be well known even if you just hang out all day.
Where are located. I'm in South County. The weather is improving and there are lots of fun things to do when its warm.

Yes Yes Yes! Some days are worse than others but there is help. If you constantly feel like doing nothing I would suggest calling your doctor U may be depressed. I did and I'm very greatful because I have been put on some great medicine that actually allows me to get off the couch and do something. Its still hard though because there is noone to talk to all day and it gets boring. So no your not alone I know what you are going through. Hope this helps.

I am a stay at home mom as well. Over the passt four months, I have come up with many things to entertain us. When we had the horrible midwest winter, we went to the mall a lot and mall walked there. Now we go for a nice hour long walk, weather permitting. Its good exercize and I know my ds loves the fresh air. We sit outside sometimes and read children's books or lay on his playmat. I explored with some baking as well and explained everything to him as we did it in the kitchen, he sat on the counter in a baby chair. I like to make sure he gets plenty of floor time on his back and tummy. We play different little games on the floor, we dance around the house, we read lots of books, and I try to be sure he is not watching tv. He is starting to learn how to roll over so thats a new game. Babycenter.com has some good developmental games to play--check it out. He also is still napping every two hours, so we spend sometime reading books before naptime and getting him to nap.
Check out momsclub on the web and see if there is a group in your area. Its for stay at home moms to all get together.
Hope that helps and good luck. Got to get back to baby who now is bored! How the joys of a 4 month attention span. Haha

Hi R.!!
I am a sahm to two wonderful kids! My son is 3 and my daughter is 8 1/2 months. With my son, he was a go baby from the get go!!(he is always asking what we are going to next) So of course he is still like that. We are never home in the mornings. I belong to a couple of mom groups in the St. Peters area and also in Lake St. Louis. They are constantly doing play groups with the kids either at parks or at other moms houses, or anything else we can think of! It gives us a chance to be around other moms while our kids all play together. I also belong to a fit mommas club and we have been walking the mall a lot this winter! I also belong to a gym and my kids love to play there too. With the moms club, they also have mom nights out with moms only and we have a blast! So, that is our morning. My son and daughter needs their nap between 1:00 and 2:00 so we are always home in time for that. There are lots of days where I would want to stay home (and in bed) but my son is old enough to know how to get me going and I know that he loves his morning outings whatever we do! We do a lot of fun stuff after naps. We will go outside a lot and right now we color and play with playdough, pretty much whatever he wants to do and then his Sissy watches us!

I'm a SAHM of an almost 9 yob & 13 yog. We homeschool the kids, so they are home all day with me too. With gas prices lately, I have really been trying to limit our running around every day. We usually read aloud together for about an hour every morning. How long we spend on school work varies - what we're doing that day, how motivated everyone is, if we get caught up in a book & spend half a day reading, etc. Sometimes we're done in 2 hours. Other days we're still working at 5:00.

We have a group that gets together to play once a week. We meet at a park if it's nice out. A local church lets us use their gym when it's too cold or rainy. I know that a lot of Mom's try to form playgroups with other children of the same age, but I really prefer a group with a wide age range. The kids learn to play & get along with kids of all abilities. (Even the teenagers who think that they're too old for everything!)

Even with all of our playdays and activities, I think that this time of year tends to drag on. I'm anxious to move on to some "Summer Projects" around the house and the nice days still seem to be few and far between.

I, too, definitely have days when I don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere. I actually consider those days to be one of the biggest benefits of being a SAHM. It's on those "boring" days that my kids learn to be a little more creative - invent their own games, start an art project on their own, etc. They've never been bored enough to clean their rooms without being told!

Enjoy those do nothing days with your baby. As your daughter gets older, they will probably be rarer.

J. W

Now that the weather is warming up my son and I go to the park a lot. We have a lot of parks around us. I've taken my son to the play area's at the mall, but the first time he was very sick the next day and the second time (after I decided he may have already been sick and may not have gotten sick from the play area) while I seated on the side watching him I watched a cockroach crawl up the side of the chair just down from me. I've decided not to go there anymore. Yuck-o. I've become a member of the St. Louis Zoo, so I plan to take us there a lot this summer, and we have some outside toys from him to play with in the yard. Inside he has a lot of toys that I continually move to different areas and he enjoys exploring and making noise. I usually turn Channel 9 (PBS) on during the morning, but I generally leave the tv off during the rest of the day (I've never been much of a television watcher). We meet my friends for lunch, go to Grandma's, grocery shop, walk the mall, he "helps" with laundry and loading and unloading the dishwasher... We fill our day with whatever comes along. It does get boring, in the winter I noticed it most, but now that the weather has lightened up its gotten much better. The YMCA offers swim classes for kids his age and younger, too.
Also, I think it is very important to find some "me" time for yourself. Maybe when your husband wakes up for the day have him sit with your daughter for a few hours a week while you go and do your own thing. Meet a friend for coffee, take a lesson at a scrapbook store, take a walk alone, you could even volunteer someplace, like a hospital maybe. Also, make sure you take advantage of all the babysitters you have available. I have a problem doing that, personally, but in my head it makes so much sense! haha... YOU time is VERY important to this entire SAHM scenario, I plan to do lots of gardening this summer and have been spending time planning out flower gardens for our bare yard, I'm really looking forward to that. I also built my website, so I know what you mean about spending hours on the computer. I actually have to limit myself to naptime only computer use or I'd be on here all day long! Thats easy to do. Maybe you just have the winter blues, and that hopefully will be over soon. Good luck and feel free to email and chat anytime!

Yes I am a SAHM. Typical day...every single one starts to seem the same. I sometimes have no idea what day of the week it is. My daughter is 5 1/2 months old. At first I got used to staying home alot since I was nursing, and taking her out for too long being a first time mom with no family in close proximity was very stressful. I stopped at 3 1/2 months but was pretty much already in the routine. I do go to the gym about 5 times a week and leave her at the daycare, but that is about all the break I get. I really can't complain about the baby though at all!! She sleeps throught the night, is always very happy and taked pretty good naps. We do have alot of fun playing together all day long! The hardest part is actually staying home and keeping yourself refreshed. I love staying home because of the time I get to spend with her...I think I will miss that so much when I finally go back to work and school. But before I got pregnant I was a full time college student and worked 2 part time jobs. I had a very full schedule and time for me and fun! The hardest thing for me has been that most of my friends do not have children so I am pretty lonely. I have two great sisters in law who I talk to daily...but my finace works alot. I have been looking into SAHM groups in the area and think I have found a good one to attend next month if you would like info. My hopes for this are that I can mybe meet a couple of other moms who would like to spend time together. You can only go to Wal-mart, the grocery store, mall and the park so many times by yourself a week. I spend alot of time on the computer and reading magazines, cleaning house and talking on the phone while the baby naps. We are buying a house soon so sometimes I stick her in the car and go looking around in the neighborhoods we are looking into. Some days I really do nothing! I don't get out of my pj's til 1 pm. This may sound nice to those who work but it really can be depressing. I went throught a bout of postpartum depression and that was very hard. I gained 60 lbs when I was pregnant and I think that took a large toll on my mood and energy level after she was born. Keeping myself busy has been the essential thing. Now five months later I have been very dedicated to my goal and lost all the weight. I feel SO much better about myself and my baby blues are all gone.
There are much worse things you could be doing. I would rather be at home when I consider all I would miss if my baby was in day care or with a sitter. There are those moments when you don't want to leave the house, and feel unproductive, but then that baby smiles at you and its all worthwhile, isn't it? I have had many family members and friends tell me that they think it is a great thing that I decided to stay home with my daughter. I am proud of myself for being the best mother I can be and I always think about this...if I am happy, she will be too. I need to take good care of myself in order to take good care of her. And that is all that matters to me.

Hi R.

My name is G. I am a SAHM of one wonderful, healthy 13 months old,he is my world. I also do medical billing at home, a company I used to work for when I lived in Mass. Oh ya there are many days I just dont feel like doing anything, but things need to be done right. Laundry, food shopping, taking my son to the mall going walking, which I do every morning.

Where you live? I live in St Charles

G.