5 Ways to Thrive as a New Stay at Home Mom

Transitioning from the Working World to Home. I wrote this post when I was transitioning to working from home. If you are new to working from home than you might find these tips very helpful! Working from home parent.

Adjusting to Life as a Stay at Home Mom

Last year I received the job of a lifetime. I had envisioned being promoted to this position. I had daydreamed about it, prayed for it and both my husband and I had put lots of sweat, blood and tears into it (well OK maybe not as much of the blood but you know what I mean).

You see last September I was promoted to be a Stay at Home Mom!

Although I was beyond thrilled and willing to take on whatever lay ahead! I was still surprised by the amount of adjusting and intention needed to feel good in my new role. In ways it was harder than I thought, but truly feel it is one of the best things I have done.

As I am learning to navigate my new role I have found it helpful to think of myself in a new job vs just being at home. Thinking of past jobs and what skills I needed to thrive when working outside the home. I thought of 5 things that have helped me transition to a stay at home parent. Maybe you can relate to them too.

1. Staying at Home with Children is a BIG job

I think there is something to be said about how we think of the role of a stay at home mom. Before leaving the working world I think I thought of it the same way I thought of vacation days.

As if there would be a new found freedom to roll out of bed whenever I want. Watch Netflix until my eyes pop out at night since I wouldn’t have a job to go to tomorrow. Well most any parent knows that’s a vision of times gone by anyway.

Similarly anyone who has been a stay at home mom for more than 24 hours, knows that we do have a very big job to do. In fact its probably the most important job we will ever have, possibly the most difficult as well. Yet why is it super easy to feel insignificant and less than the world around us.

Isn’t it easy to look around and see images of others who seem to be going farther and doing more than us? We can quickly feel like we should be accomplishing more, to be more.

But let’s take a minute and consider the role of stay at home mom as if you would see it as a job posting on a website. What would it say?

Well the job title is clear: STAY AT HOME MOM.

But what is the job description?

Would the description read something like “wiping dirty bottoms and hands, two loads of dishes and laundry a day? Driving children to and fro. Making meals, breaking up sibling squabbles and then making more meals.”

Well I think most of us would agree that is a piece of it. Perhaps that’s what is the first thing we see. But there’s probably a deeper part that knows its about so much more.

There’s a depth to putting our family first that is hard to express with words. Yet John Piper, who is extremely gifted at articulating, says this about the role of a wife, mother and homemaker.

“Marriage is,the joyful support of a husband and his calling as you display what the relationship between Christ and the church looks like, and motherhood, the transmission of a God-centered, Christ-treasuring vision of life to your children, and home-management, the creation of a beautiful and simple place and a living organism called a home becomes, not only for the family, but also for the community a refuge of Christ’s peace and launching pad for God’s righteousness.”

“Honoring the Call of Motherhood”- May 8, 2005

Who would have thought that faithfully and graciously scrubbing that baked on pasta could have such an incredible impact one day! But isn’t there hope in hearing all those private moments are so significant!

Packing lunches, wiping noses, responding patiently and giving to your family. Simple actions that bless your family and could eventually impact the whole community!

This type of impact is not what I usually imagine when I am asked to play yet another round of Memory or Hungry Hippo. Yet it is the type of impact that is offered to us if we willingly accept this tremendous job.

A question to ask yourself might be, do I see my role as a stay at home mom with this amount of significance?

2. You have an awesome boss

Another thing I like to remember is that the boss I work for has not changed. I used to have someone to report to directly, to hand my time-card, and if I was lucky give me positive feedback. But that boss was not the one I was working for first.

Colossians 3:23 says “whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will received the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

and

Mathew 25:40:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

You see Christ was my boss when I was working outside the home and He is my boss while I am working at home.

The good news is God’s a perfect boss. He is the creator of servant leadership and he enters into our day with us. Unlike any earthly boss he can actually strengthen us, equip and teach us with gentleness and a humble heart.

I don’t know about you but this is the kind of boss I want!!

How can my boss (Christ) help me with my struggles today?

3. Get to know your co-workers

In a job outside the home we generally have co-workers. We count on seeing them on a regular basis. We can ask each other questions and share the ups and downs of work.

But as a stay at home mom it can feel like we are going it alone. Toys everywhere when we just put them away. Not sleeping when an infant gets up every hour and a half. Not having a plan for dinner when everyone starts saying they are hungry. Can be a heavy burden to bear alone day after day.

That’s why I think it is so important to find a tribe of like minded mamas who know the struggle is real. Someone who can reassure you that it’s gonna be ok.

Maybe its a weekly phone call to family or a friend, or a moms group at a church, or maybe it’s a play-date you keep regularly with a neighbor.

Galatians encourages us to bear one another’s burdens. Meeting together with other mamas can be like a burden that is lifted.

Even though your new role is independent, it doesn’t need to be lonely.

What is one thing you can do to build your mama tribe?

4. Continue your Personal Development

When we are in the working world we often have training or workshops to teach us new skills that are like tools in our toolbox. It is a time to develop our strengths.

Yet I think when we become stay at home moms our interests, hobbies and perhaps even our unique skills may no longer seem essential to our job.

Daily demands supersede our hobbies and interests.

But if God has gifted us specifically in unique ways. Perhaps painting, writing or photography. Doesn’t it seem worthwhile to continue to nurture and challenge these special gifts He has given us?

Now I know what you are thinking.

How do I have time for extra things? But before your mommy guilt kicks in full throttle let me challenge you for a second.

What if doing more of those things you enjoy actually make you feel revived or energized? Wouldn’t that be beneficial for both you and your family?

I think it would and I think it can.

But if you are feeling like there just is no time for things beyond the daily to-do list. Like when littles are getting up all night or when they aren’t feeling good. That’s understandable. But when you are able. Keep investing in the things you are passionate about. I think this can help with overall satisfaction.

What’s one thing you enjoy that you could find time to do this week?

And last but certainly not least.

5. Don’t Forget to Take Your Breaks

Being a stay at home mom is hard work. So make sure to take time to rest. Whether its a 5 min break when you need to put your crying infant in the crib or its a full 2 hour nap with your toddler.

Taking the time to feel refreshed and available again for the demands of the day is valuable. Everyone has limitations and sometimes just taking a 20 minute nap is all we need to keep going the rest of the day.

It may also look different for you than someone else. Maybe taking a break means you do 30 minutes of exercise each day or go for a walk. Maybe the only time you can truly rest is when someone else is helping you with the kiddos.

But whatever it is… if you need it, find ways to take it. We are all only human after all. I think You will be glad you did.

How do you feel refreshed? Have you been taking your breaks?

Being a Stay at Home Mom is an extremely important job, there is no other job like it. Thankfully we are not in it alone. We have an one of a kind boss who is there for us each and every day. Strengthening us and helping us. Finding other like minded friends near or far can also help us to keep going. Helping us to feel normal and like we are not in this alone.

And although it is such an important job. It’s also good to know that in order to thrive it is important to continue to develop your unique gifts and passions. To care for yourself and rest when you need it. You are important! Take heart sweet mama!

Thanks for stopping by I hope these tips are an encouragement to you. Please say hi and let me know you were here.

P.S. If you found this post encouraging, don’t forget to pin it so you can read it again!