Whether you’re considering not going back to work after maternity leave or have decided you’d like to spend more time with your kids before they grow up too fast, there are lot of things to consider.
Like any change in life, going from a working mom to a SAHM can be a shock to your system as well as the family budget. To make this change as smooth as possible, please keep the following tips in mind:
Look Into a Side Hustle
One great thing about staying at home is that you will no longer have to pay for daycare, gas for your endless commute, work clothes, parking and eating out with clients. At the same time, you will be down one income, so you might find that despite these savings, your new budget often stretches to the point of breaking.
To supplement the family income, you may want to get a side hustle that you can do around your kids’ schedules. For example, for decades Amway has helped stay at home moms like you to become Independent Business Owners. As a giant in the direct sales industry, Amway has sometimes been labeled as a scam. But if you know the facts, Amway is not a pyramid scheme but a reputable way to partner with a company that offers mentorship and flexibility.
Carve Out Some Alone Time
You might not have realized this, but your job provided you with plenty of alone time, including your solo time in the car, your lunch hour and time working at your desk. Now that you are a SAHM, your kids will continually ask you for help with things, to play with them, fix them a snack, read to them and more. While you have missed your kiddos and welcome the chance to spend time with them, you may quickly find you miss your time to be by yourself. Make it a point to carve out special time for yourself—every single day. This can be a relaxing bubble bath at night, taking the dog for a walk once hubby gets home, watching a show on TV that does not involve animated trains, or running to the store solo.
Talk About Expectations with Your Spouse
Speaking of your spouse, switching from a working mom to a SAHM will be a change for both of you. You may have split the chores and errands somewhat equitably, but now that you are a SAHM, your spouse may unknowingly assume that you will do 100 percent of the work. If you have other ideas about this and would prefer that he still handle at least some of the cooking and grocery shopping, discuss this prior to your becoming a SAHM. You should also not presume that your sweetie will come home after work and be willing to take over all of the duties; you are still a team and there will be some give and take until everything settles down. Just keep the lines of communication open and plan your responsibilities and tasks like you did before; only now your job is being a SAHM instead of your previous career.
Being a SAHM Can Be Very Rewarding
Making the decision to stay at home with your children can be emotionally rewarding. You will probably never miss that long commute or spending hours away from home. By realizing that this is still a significant transition and taking steps to acknowledge it and plan for it, you should find that being a SAHM is a wonderful experience for you and your entire family.