Me, Myself and Baby - Finding You, While Becoming Mommy

This is a continuation from Part 1, The Decision to Stay Home: 

 Some helpful tips to make sure you're finding yourself once decided to stay home. 

• Get out of the house! At least once a week, try to do something with your little one. Even if it’s just for an hour or two and even if it’s just going to the park. You’ll see other people, get new ideas, and at the very least, get some fresh air.

• Set goals and make plans, with flexible deadlines. Let’s be realistic, you’re a parent, things change minute to minute, and the last thing you need is the stress of a staunch deadline. But, give yourself something to work towards or look forward to. Maybe it’s organizing your closet before winter, planning a family vacation, or learning French. Whatever it is, plan it, and work towards it.

• Find some alone time, at least a few times a week. Whether that means handing baby off to your partner, dropping him off at Grandma’s, or calling a babysitter. You need some quiet time with your thoughts. Once you have it, do whatever brings you joy-- read a book, go shopping, bake something, visit with friends, etc.

• Do what you did before, just in a different way. If you miss working, and love what you were doing before staying home with baby, all hope is not lost. There are many careers which can be modified for stay-at-home moms. For example, if you used to teach, consider tutoring. If you’re in accounting, insurance, or law, consider consulting from home.

• Have someone you can call. Whether it’s a friend, relative, or neighbor-- it should be someone who makes you feel good, someone you enjoy talking to. Because there will be plenty of days when you’ll need to be reminded of who you are, where you came from, and where you’re going. You’ll need someone to tell you you’re doing great, and that it will all be okay.

Angel Krause is a writer, English teacher, and full time mom. She holds a M.A. in Education and Literacy & Language Arts, and her focus is on topics related to pregnancy, parenthood, relationships, children and education. Visit her blog at www.coming-up-roses.com.