I’m afraid this is going to come out wrong… so if at the end of this post – you want to unfollow, unsubscribe, or un-anything… I will understand. I might want to unsubscribe to myself too.
I’m sucking at this SAHM thing. And let’s be clear… 
I’m not used to sucking. I mean… I know I’ve mentioned it before, but – I don’t do things unless I’m sure I’m going to be good at them.
Structure, I can handle. Business – I can handle. I’ve always been this way. I’ve written my college papers at the last minute, I’ve gone on minimal sleep, I’ve pushed myself to the edge.
But what happens when I don’t have to get dressed every day? Do you know how many days I’ve spent in the hot pink velvet sweat pants? Do you know how many days the kids haven’t been dressed until lunch time?
I thought they would stop acting out when I was home… I think they are acting out MORE!
Before – it was easy to keep structure from 4pm until bedtime. Enforce the rules, have some fun, play, … you know. Honestly – don’t hate me – but we get compliments all the time on the twin’s behavior. They listen. We can take them out to restaurants, to the store, basically everywhere. People come up to us regularly because they are such good listeners. You know why I think that was? Because … maybe I’m only able to be a good parent in short stints. It isn’t hard to make rules and enforce them for 3 or 4 hours a day.
But now? CRAP. From 6am until 8pm? I SUCK! I don’t have the ability to give them structure. I don’t want to yell at them all day. So, I let some things slide. They do things now that I never let them do before. They have realized that sometimes I give in – so they push back. But… I just don’t want to be a 24/7 enforcer. So, yes… sometimes I let them run around in their underware. But, then I can’t get them to stop to get dressed. I think I suck at this.
I’m not used to it. I don’t do things unless I’m sure I can be… like the best there ever was at it. What am I supposed to do if I’m terrible? What am I supposed to do if I really suck at this?
Truth? The house isn’t really any cleaner. The laundry isn’t always done. I’ve tried to balance the checkbook 3 times and I just can’t seem to make it work.
What if I’m better at teaching than I am at mothering??
What if I’m better at earning a paycheck than I am at managing our house?
Thanks Shell … for letting me Pour My Heart Out.
I am a former teacher, turned SAHM. I have 3 children. The twins, Andrew and Addison, turned 3 years old in October. I also have a 1 year old baby who was born with a very rare chromosomal disorder - Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome. The good, the bad, the ugly.. all here. Because this blog keeps me from drinking.
I don’t have children but I appreciate this post because I am a teacher and I’ve always wondered if I do have children would I be a SAHM and also, would I be any good at it?
I think its probably just like teaching. We have our moments. We have our good days and our bad days. And we get better as time goes by.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. You don’t need to be perfect. And you sound awfully loving and smart – and that’s what is most important I think. Thanks!
Pish Posh recently posted..Things I Can’t Say: My Pants Don’t Fit
I think you are probably right. I nosed around your blog quite a bit yesterday… sorry about your pants. I’m not “skinny fat” – but if you want to work on it together – I’m your girl.
Oh! I love your honesty!
I just found your blog so I have no idea how long you’ve been a stay at home mom (I need to read more!) — but please believe me when I tell you that being a SAHM is a HARD job, perhaps the hardest job one will ever have! Because it takes so much effort for our minds not to turn into mush, for our habits not to become lazy, for our attire not to become “frumpy” and for our disciplining not to become relaxed. When we are surrounded by babies and toddlers all day long, how can we NOT fall into these traps? It happens! And it doesn’t mean we aren’t GOOD at what we are supposed to be doing (being a 24 hour caretaker to our beloved children, being a SAHM!) It doesn’t meant that, I promise! All it means is that we need to pull ourselves UP by the bootstraps and form a different view and approach to our “job” — For instance, try looking at it as an actual job. YOU are the CEO of your family! Yes, you ARE! And that’s a huge job, a monstrous responsibility. Only a select few can do this job well. YOU are one of the select few! (believe that!) In the mornings, before the kids get up, TAKE A SHOWER! Wash your hair, blow-dry and style it, put on make-up and dress in some decent clothes (like nice jeans and a top) — do this AS IF you were going to a JOB every day. (I’m not saying dress in work-attire…I’m only saying GET UP and GET DRESSED for the day!) I swear to you, as a mom of nine who has been staying at home with the kids for the past 20 years, the BEST days I have ever had with the kids, the most productive days, have been when I started my days like this. If you begin to think of your “job” as being the CEO of your family, and truly believing it, well… you start doing things “better” — and what I mean by that is that you begin to accomplish more in your day, whether that becomes doing more things with your kids, having more patience with your kids, cleaning and organizing your home more, or even being a better wife to your husband….it really does help! Wow, the CEO of a family: the one who makes sure the bills go out each month, balances the checkbook, keeps the kids schedules with playdates/school/sports/dentists/doctors and keeps records for taxes, maybe even does the yearly income taxes, cleans the house and does the laundry for the proper maintenance of the home and members of the family, does the food preparation three times a day, stocks the food supplies, etc. I could go on and on about ALL the duties of the CEO of a family. Your husband may be the “bread winner” but wow, to be the CEO…. you just can’t beat that. You really can’t. Our job is, in one word: INVALUABLE
A book I recommend: The Fly Lady — “dress in shoes each and every day!” <— not a direct quote, but this is what I automatically think when I think of this book!
Again, love your honesty, and you are NOT alone in feeling like this. Hang in there, you are doing a great job. You ARE!
Katrina
They All Call Me Mom
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ve been a SAHM for about … um 2 weeks now. But – I have to tell you – you have great advice. AND – if you read the other posts… most of them referenced you! The getting up before the kids could be a bit of a problem. I usually take the midnight shift. When our youngest is sick (often) I’m up with him. I think this is where our day starts to unravel…. because I’m so exhausted, I can’t do anything. Thanks for the book suggestion and all the others.
I did see this post today that the “salary” for a SAHM would be $117,000 – so I told hubs I got a raise
He didn’t find it that funny….
Sending strength, and I hope you find your balance. (And I love the comic you included!)
jenn @ so this is love recently posted..Old Soul
Thanks! Do you know how HARD it was to find that one? A lot of them were totally inappropriate.
And all of that could be true, and what if that is not a bad thing! It’s okay to not be a good SAHM, just as it is okay to hating being a mom who works away from home.
That being said, it sounds like you guys just need a little structure. There is no reason why you can’t have structure just because you are at home. Still get up and get showered right away, still “schedule” things, trips to the library, playdates, etc. Always have lunch at the same time and snacks. You know give your day some function.
I have confidence in you. You can do this!
Showering….. I really hate to shower. Does that make me sound like super dirty? It is just – the whole process of washing my hair, blow drying it, etc etc…I just have so much more I could do with that time. Ok. I guess I need to go for a little better hygiene around here lately
First you’re too hard on yourself. And I’d like to see someone who is a real ‘master’ at being a sahm. It’s not all roses and daydreams. You’re home, you’re with your kids- you’re spending time with them that you will never get back.
Miss working where things are predictable? Totally can relate. But in all honestly- I credit teaching those crazy children with helping me to NOT feel like I had to be such a perfectionist at home.
Really- the similarities between teaching and sahm-ing are frightening. I have started a post many times about how I feel it prepared me to do what I’m doing today- being a circus ringleader.
Do you really think they’ll remember anything other than that you were with them? Probably not I mean, my mom is pretty much a disaster and all I remember is that she was home with us and kept my matches addiction under control.
Hahaha! I love the matches addiction thing – that will so be Andrew. He wants to fix everything. The other day, I caught him taking his fake circular saw to our window. So he could break it… and then fix it. eyeyeyeyey. But you are right. I think they will remember that I was there. And we do have a lot of laughing going on.
Oh sweet friend! So, coming from the brain of one who works full time and does not yet have children, here are my thoughts. Your new job is a SAHM. This is no different from starting a new job out in the “world”. You have to learn new time management, PR, and interpersonal skills…and you have to be accepted by the natives. Did I just mix analogies? Yes, yes I did. The twins are employees in this scenario, FYI. They like their routine they had, they just want to stand around the milk cooler with kiddie cups and talk about what happened on Bob the Builder yesterday, and whether there might be cookies on the lunch line today. Like most new managers, you don’t want to come in guns blazing because then everyone gets edgy. But you also have to show them that there’s time for milk drinking and there’s time for getting dressed. (Could this get anymore convoluted?!!?)
Basically, give yourself time to figure out what works for you and the twins and the housework. It doesn’t have to happen overnight. Just remember, you’re the adult…you are physically bigger than they are and that should give you the upper hand. I know it really doesn’t when faced with the obstinate nature of a 3 year old, but I take comfort in the fact that it should.
YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. You are simply in transition.
Awn recently posted..We Were Swindled By A Carny
Awn. You had me until you said I was an adult. And bigger than they were. Man… those two can tag team me into something like a hot mess. Today – Andrew told me it was “my fault” the DVD case for the library was lost. Then Addison chimed in too… they are like the children of the corn. KIdding – everyone!
It’s ok to have days of less structure. We definitely have our PJ days and “lazy” days where I don’t worry about laundry or cleaning. The thing with being a SAHM is that you never have a day off. When you were working, you had the weekend off to give yourself a little boost for the coming week of teaching. You don’t get a weekend from being a SAHM. Sure, your DH is probably at home the weekend to help, but you are still doing all the things you do every day during the week. So, I think it’s good/ok to have those days of less structure. Of course you don’t want this to be every day, but one or so a week isn’t going to hurt anything.
However, I have definitely been in the rut where I wore the same thing multiple days in a row, the house was a mess and laundry was piling up and the kids were crazy… I hope it happens to all SAHM’s at some point. It can be hard to get out of. You CAN do this though. You ARE a great mom.
Thanks Marsi. And you have been on my mind lately. I love you girl. And I think you are an amazing mom… just FYI. AMAZING.
Being a sahm is HARD. You never really get a break, your day never really ends, and just when you get one thing done, 5 more pop up in its place. There’s usually no tangible results to point to and say I got *that* done today.
Hang in there.
Shell recently posted..Pour Your Heart Out: A Valentine from the Past
Shell… How in the HECK do you ever get all the blogging work done you do? I’ve been working hard on the blogging aspect of it and … well – that may be where some of the movie / unstructured time comes in.
First of all I am jealous of the hot pink velvet sweat pants! As a former teacher I definitely think I do better providing structure at school than I do at home. I just don’t want staying at home to feel so much like work…does that make sense. Hang in there…you will find your groove.
Robbie recently posted..Blogging Report Card
Jealous – oh yeah. Because I am H.O.T. in these bad boys. As in… it is a wonder my husband still sleeps in the same bed. Every time I put them on I think – Poor Ray… I wish his wife was hotter
I am going to have to get a picture of these things.
I am so glad I came to your blog today! I feel exactly the same way that you do. I feel like a failure. I am a sahm who does not have anything together. I can’t even teach my kid his alphabet before kindergarten (my post today for PYHO).
I get overwhelmed because my kids argue over toys from sunup til sundown and I am constantly raising my voice. I hate it. I like Katrina’s comment, it gives me a lot to think about. I need to try to help myself.
Teresa recently posted..Mom fail
I’m glad you came over too! I usually read all of Shell’s PYHO posts, and I can’t wait to read yours. As for the alphabet – it is over rated. Don’t you know you can talk text now anyway? So – don’t feel bad… just buy your kid a cell phone
Kidding! Anyway – it was great to see you around here!!!
I love this blog and your honesty. I don’t think I’ll be the unsubscribing anytime soon. The best we can do, is the best we can do. Being a SHAM isn’t easy. I only lasted 15 months before going back to work. We didn’t need the money, but I needed a change of pace.
NJ @ A Pocket Full Of Dinosaurs recently posted..Misadventures in the darkest hour.
Don’t tell me you went back to work! Don’t tell Ray you went back to work! CRAP!!! He will make me go too!! Actually – when I was home with the twins for 9 months, I was SO excited to go back. But, things have changed. I’m not the teacher I was then. Little things – I can tell…. are making me – different. My focus needs to be here. I think I need to hire a MOM… So I can just SAH. How about that? I think the best years will be when they are in school
Just kidding!!!
Ditto everything Katrina said! I <3 the Fly Lady, she is very motivational like that!
However, as hard as I try, getting a shower before the kids are up is impossible in my house…but on the days that I do shower in the A.M. and get dressed to the shoes, it is always worth it. Having shoes on makes me much less likely to sit on the couch and much more likely to get out of the house.
I just wanted to comment because this is a post I could have written myself, if I had any sort of composition talent.
Also, cut yourself a break Lady! I think you are still in the 'rebound' stage after working full time for so long, let yourself have some time to enjoy the fact that you 'CAN' wear sweats and let the kids run in their jammies or undies… it is a very special thing to be a SAHM. I bet you were a much better teacher your last year of teaching than your first, so just think how awesome you will be at it by the time the twinkers go to school!
<3
I’m with you – getting a shower??? Man… I just don’t think that is going to happen. I MIGHT be able to get dressed. And thanks for letting me have some slack
Love the pink fuzzy robe image. Love. It.!
Being a SAHM is super difficult. Like, probably the most challenging (and most rewarding) “job” I’ve ever had. It’s 24/7, you have to be the bad guy a lot of the time while Dad comes home from work all happy and relaxed and saves the day, you’re still the cook, maid, ass wiper, snot swiper, driver, homework enforcer, etc in addition to being mom.
I used to be mad at myself, when I couldn’t juggle it all gracefully. And then I came to the conclusion that if my kids are still pink in the face and go to bed feeling safe and loved then I’ve done my job for the day. Seriously. Sometimes my main goal is just getting through a day without wanting to throw my head in the oven.
Try not to be too hard on yourself. This SAHM gig is new to you and it may take some time to iron out a schedule or a routine that works for you.
Helene recently posted..Want to Know Wednesdays…Celebrating the Small Victories
yeah. I was going to ask you that. At what point WILL my kids start to wipe their own asses? Because that is not a fun job. I have thought about throwing my head in the oven. Seriously. I would curl my entire body in there if it would fit.
That is one thing I’ve worried about. I was really good at enforcing things from 4 until bed. But ALL. FREAKING. DAY?!?!? Crap. Where is the oven?
well you don’t suck, but I totally get what you’re saying. It is very hard to feel “successful” at this job. I am trying to write about my awful experiences last week while husband was away, when I really did scream at the kids all day… thanks for being honest. you rock the loungewear, I am certain.
wendy @ mama one to three recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Looking Back at Little Ones (and Long Hair)
the loungewear… um no. I was trying to find a picture of it for this post. They really are hot pink, velvet, and maternity – sweat pants. I’m scarring my kids for life.
Thanks for the encouragement.
What an honest post Kristen! The truth is, I think this all the time about myself. Then I’ll have a season when I feel good about my abilities. I think we all go through season of questioning if we’re doing it right, making the right decision, SAHM or Work, blah, blah, blah…It’s so exhausting. Truth is, I think we exhaust ourselves more than others exhaust us. You’re adjusting to the HARDEST job in the WORLD! It’s never ending. You’re their mom, only source of security, meals, baths, etc., from the time they open their eyes until the fall out. It’s so much different than what your used to and what they’re used to. Just like you don’t know what to do them have the time, they are probably trying to adjust to having you all day. Give it some time. I know it will calm down. You don’t suck! Sending prayers for strength. He will give you more than you ever could have imagined! (Ephesians 3:20) Just wait!
Adrienne recently posted..When your parenting isn’t working…
Thank you so much for this comment. I think we need more of a routine. Plus… the blog is growing so fast. I posted back links to some old posts – (in tomorrow’s post) and they have like 3 comments on them. Now that I’m getting a little more social media savy – it is a lot of work to do THIS!
Being a SAHM is difficult! It’s the only thing I’ve done since having A but, it’s hard to keep up with her and keep on the things that you think a SAHM would keep up on. Good luck!
Thanks. I knew it would be tough… but – I really need to get creative.
Step one: Breathe. No seriously…breathe!
Step two: A cup of hot tea (if you need to add something stronger to it, I won’t look, and I won’t judge).
Step three: Find your OWN normal.
I am NOT a STHM (although I wish I could be). I do, however, know what it is like to try to balance things. And I may have some, ahem, experience with letting things slide to keep the peace. From these experiences, we have found some really good ways to not all go insane. We have devised some things that let me breathe (see Step One, above) and give the kids some unstructured structure (bear with me on this). We have “Super Special Movie Day” at least once per month. It includes staying in jammies all day (on purpose), pulling out blankets and pillows and watching a movie (or several), complete with pop-corn, candy, and a fizzy drink (this gives us permission to be low key all day). We also have “Tea Party Time” which means tea (with milk and lots of sugar, and cookies or some such thing, on fancy plates. However, to be invited to Tea Time, you HAVE to help with the ROCK OUT CLEAN OUT (set the timer for 30 minutes and see who can clean the most…the winner gets to pour the tea and pass out sugar cubes). You can find silly things that give some structure…some things to look forward to…some sense of balance. You can’t be the super-cleaner-planner-mom all the time, and you can’t be the we-ate-breakfast-in-our-PJs-at-noon mom all the time. Embrace both.
Terri recently posted..Beware the Space Under the Stairs…and 147 Pages
Terri – Thanks so much for stopping over. I’ve missed you
We USED to have those exact same things… problem here – we’ve been having them every day. I have tried some structure in the last few days and it has been much better. You drink tea? Hmm… I always figured you for strait black coffee.
This blog is why I’m in the MOMS Club. I struggled in the beginning and I didn’t have 3 kids at home in the mix. There are activities every day to choose from – makes me get myself and Seth dressed and out of the house. The company of other moms who worry that they’re not always the greatest at scheduling/parenting/etc./etc. is a plus too (usually over a cup of coffee/tea while the kids run around like crazy and tire themselves out so they’ll nap in the afternoon). Really, I need you to check it out some time. Trust me….
I’m planning on doing some things with your MOMs club. Things have been a little crazy (in an unstructured way) getting ready for our little trip. When we get back. Can my “blog” be my craft at your house?
That doesn’t mean you suck. That means you are normal. Period. What you have done is completely out of your normal range. It will take time to find a new normal hun. But it does get easier I promise.
Angel recently posted..Life with Bipolar.. the ride that never ends PYHO
Angel – you might be my new best friend. I’m just so used to doing things that come easily… wtheck? this is not easy!
Nope being a parent full time is THE hardest job you will ever do. What makes it hard is there is not ONE area it falls under. You wear so many hats beyond what people think. Nurse, maid, companion, entertainment center, laundress, seamstress, kisser of boo boos, doler of correction, safety net, wife, lover, doctor, teacher. Your pay is measured by other stay at home mom’s, usually unfairly because each child is unique. Knowing that doesn’t help if Susie so and so can speak in 2 languages fluently and count to 100 by age 3 and your kid apparently finds speaking unnecessary even in public. You will find yourself second guessing your choices and judgement, attacked by the working mom’s for giving up your identity to stay at home, attacked by the stay at homes because they think you should be old hat at this by now. Ignore it all. Look at your kids. Do they look at you with love?? Do they know they can trust you to do right by them when push comes to shove?? Do they know that your sole goal is to protect and nurture them?? Are they growing, fed, learning, playing and laughing?? If all of that is true then don’t sweat the small stuff. We all have bad days, We ALL lose it despite ones who claim they don’t. I have found the ones who do the most judging, judge simply because they see a lot of their own lives in yours and you know how hard it is to take our own advice. Nod your head, thank them for their opinion and go on with what you know works for you. Period.
Angel recently posted..I spy with Dazee and Christy
This post made me want to follow your blog! I feel the exact same way sometimes. And I only have the one kid right now but one on the way and I often think, man how am I going to do it with a preschooler and a baby?!
Jennifer recently posted..WILW- What I Love Wednesday
Jennifer – FOLLOW THIS BLOG!!! I’m desperate! I have no kids and made the entire thing up just to get people to like me. Ok. Kidding. But … your newborn is going to be so sweet. Even the word newborn makes me want another one. (Do. Not. Tell. My. Husband!) I’m so glad you stopped by. Good luck with the newness of your life – it’s going to be awesome. And… if you feel bad, you can always come here to feel better about yourself
Kristen, Most of the posts have said my thoughts. Being a SAHM is like having a job, but different in many ways. Structure is something I always had in my classroom and I do the same thing with the girls. There are times that I throw the “routine” out the window because well, they are almost three and there are days where today they were content so i let them be content. There are days they are in their jammies till they take a bath. Structure is something I struggle with with our back and forth life but it has helped so much. There are days I don’t get a shower, a second cup of coffee (or a first), or get to make a phone call or get to a dr appointment. But each day is new and each day is different.
I think I have to transition from “saturday” is our play day … to “everyday” is our day. Know what I mean? When I was off – it was always saturday. We did lounge in our pj’s. Plus – I am having a hard time keeping up with all this blog stuff and them. CRAZY times
I am also a former teacher and a SAHM for 12 years now!!! I was lucky I get to ease into it with my first little newborn. But when I had 3 kids 3 and under it got really hard. You don’t suck, it is just super hard. I used to think I was going back to work, but now I have realized that, unless the job is really flexible or I can do it at home, it is just not going to happen. It is definitely a challenge, but gets easier. But 12 years later, i have days I feel really competent, and days I’m sure I suck. But I wouldn’t give up the time with my kids for anything in the world.
You know what was funny tonight? My husband was happy. I asked him if he could tell the kids were happier and he said yes. They are just so playful now. I am loving it. Don’t tell Ray, but I might do this forever.
Kristen
We all have our bad days and periods of adjustment as both SAHM and WOHM. This is NOT what you want to hear, but thanks for helping me feel better about continuing to work 4 days a week. You are braver than me and I bet you are doing a wonderful kob. I just don’t have it in me. I am lucky my kids LOVE daycare and being with their friends all day. Thanks for sharing such honest thoughts!
Tricia recently posted..Bedtime Battles
Just found your blog, and I loved the honesty in this post. A little over six months ago the Army commanded we leave our life in Maryland and move to Germany. I had been a teacher for the last 8 years, and now through a lack of employment opportunities, find myself a sham of a SAHM. My children are 10 & 16 so there is VERY little to do during the day and I have no idea if I’m qualified to use the title SAHM. While now I have the opportunity to be at home with my children, they don’t need me as much anymore.
Have fun and don’t be so hard on yourself. Your children will love you for being amazing at being a Mom!
I can only imagine how different life is now for you, but enjoy every unscheduled, mid-afternoon pajama crazy kid moment you can wrangle up. They will have the rest of their lives for structure and schedules. Now its about quality time with Mom and each other.
Melissa McDonald recently posted..Here’s to…
Thanks for all the encouragement. WOW… life in an entirely new country?!?! Yes – you are qualified to be a SAHM. Plus – you are a blogger
That’s a job (so I keep telling my husband.) I do really love this age… 3 is probably the most fun .. and the most trying!
I’m so glad you posted this, and I’m so glad you’ve gotten so many positive responses.
I wish there was something I could say to make it better.
We don’t have kids, but my husband stays at home with his dad, who had an aneurysm 2 years ago. And you’d *think* that with all the extra time on his hands, he’d be SuperHusband. Clean house, perfect meals, etc etc.
Not the case.
And it’s been two years.
I can blame him, or I can come to the conclusion that the grass is always greener. You can *think* everything will be perfect and wonderful until you’re in the situation. The reality is, something comes up every day which pushes other things aside. Illness happens. Household “oops” situations happen. Etc.
You can’t hold yourself to impossible standards, and you can’t live by “should”. Just accept and try to improve what “is”. Like your self-image. I’m sure you’re doing the best you can, and probably a much better job than you think.
Like I said in reply to your comment on my blog, shoot me an email if you ever want to talk, or hunt me down on Twitter, @mrsjenbardall.
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Sunday Dinner: Roasted Pork with Vegetables
You’d better watch out … giving me that many ways to try to be your friend… I posted a few days ago about “why I don’t have more friends.” … and it is ugly.
Thanks for all the support! Kristen
I have been a SAHM for a year in June…with two kids under two and the oldest of which who has Down syndrome which means TONS of therapy appointment and such.
I just want to say that I’m sure I suck at this more than you do. (If that makes you feel any better). I need a cleaning lady (which my husband protests because that’s supposed to be part of my new job). I have a PCA who helps with one child but not the other and I’m ready to just can every therapist and reclaim my mornings! I drink waaaay too much coffee. And my daughter watches Signing Time more hours in the day than I think is legal.
(Hugs) You’ll get it figured out (and hopefully I will too!). Bottom line- it’s a hard, hard job and not for the faint of heart.
Oh I totally hear you about the list of “new chores” that come with my “new job.” How about today SATURDAY – when hubs just told me he was out of underwear. I was like – start a load, I’m feeding 3 kids… and his reply? Well… that’s your job now. So, I told him to turn his old ones inside out – summer camp style. I’m pretty sure a load is in the washer. We can just be sucky SAHM’s together. By the way – Signing Time videos are AWESOME and she can be a total help with the language for your child with DS. Don’t forget – there are lots of other stations out there for more educational purposes
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I’m SO freaking with you on so many of these things that you brought up.
I have always been good at what I’ve done b/c I’ve had some sort of control. With parenting, you give up all control (especially if you have my 3.5 year old TWINS).
I can tell you this…getting us out of the house every single day has made things so much better. We stay in a schedule and our worst days are the days when we don’t leave the house. It’s hard some days, but worth it.
I think I suck at this SAHM crap too and I’ll wholeheartedly admit it. You’re not alone…
I must really ‘suck’ at SAHM, b/c we are never ‘home.’ Or if we are, we’re getting ready to leave. We are fortunate to live beside a free, government-run preschool program for children ages 0-6 and their parents. (Not a daycare, but parents interact with their children). We are also a stone’s throw from a huge park. Like Rebecca says, our worst days are when we don’t leave the house. Yes, my laundry is piled into a small Mt. Everest & dishes are heaped in the sink, but the kids are busy=happy. (Not busy=miserable, finding something inappropriate to do) I am normally a neat-freak, but housekeeping slid by the wayside as parenting and survival took over.
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Oh………. How long do you think laundry can sit in the washer before I need to wash it again? We are going on 2 days now. hmmmm.. I’m so glad I’m not alone!!
I SO understand that! I am dreading summer (starting next week) for that exact reason. I don’t do well with not having a structure, yet I can’t keep up with a strict schedule with my kids 24/7. It just doesn’t feel right. I let them get away with way too much. You are definitely not alone in your feelings here!
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