Six Ways to Thrive as a Stay at Home Mom

Are you a new Stay at Home Mom?  Are you wondering… What am I going to do all day?  Can I really be happy and fulfilled without a job?  Read on, dear Mama, read on!

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.  ​- George Washington

After thirteen plus years as a SAHM, I want to tell you, YES!  You really can thrive as a full-time mom! Here are my top tips for new (or struggling) mamas:
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1. Look at raising children and creating a home as your career.  Take this calling seriously!  Get organized! Keep learning!  Find ways to get better at it, one thing at a time, just like you would any other career.  Read.  Set goals.  Find a mentor (even digital/book mentors help!).
   
2. Do not isolate yourself.  I am a major introvert, but I am telling you that Regis and Kelly (or whoever is running on the morning telly) do not count for friends.  I know friends can be hard to find, but I encourage you to pray and ask God to bring women into your life who will encourage you in your calling.  If you find yourself in a season of loneliness, use it to draw closer to the One Friend who will never leave you. 
   
3. Change your mind about what is “fun.”  Look for ways to enjoy your home-life.  Decide that you do not need to be shopping or taking the kids to a major theme park to be happy. Do one and be proud of it!  Then do another!  Find the beauty of the place you are in and treasure it!  And teach your children to do the same.
   
4. Let some things go.  You do not have to do it all.  You do not have to be a taxi driver.  You do not have to live in a Pinterest board. You will be much happier if you decide what your priorities are for this season of your life.  Choose a handful of things.  Stick with them.  Get good at them.  Let the rest go.
   
5. Get a hobby.  Seriously.  Whether you call yourself Mama, Mom, or Mum, staying at home means your world is filled with tasks that will be repeated endlessly, no matter how well you do them (like laundry, cooking, and dishes).  I know you feel like you already have a million things to do, but you need a craft you can call your own.  And I am not talking about photography or blogging.  Your Mama-Sanity-Saving-Hobby needs to be something you can finish.  Knitting, sewing, painting, drawing, crocheting, coloring, cake decorating, wreath- making, read something fun, whatever.  Pick something affordable, and something you can work on in snatches (if it takes forever just to set up, you are never going to do it).  Click here for tips for choosing a mom-friendly hobby.
   
6. Spend time with your King. Get to know your Employer! Sure, you can try to do it all on your own strength, but the God of the universe is offering you His strength! I am not one of those sunshine-and-rainbows-mornings-are-amazing people, but I can tell you that making time for being with the King first thing every day allows me to tackle my day, fueled and ready for whatever may come! If you struggle with making daily time with God a reality, check out my book: Finding Quiet Time.  It's packed with practical tips and strategies for mamas in the thick of family life!
   

Many of us come into the job of motherhood with very little training, yet we expect ourselves to perform at the top of the class on day one! Dear Mama, give yourself some grace.  God does.

Read something fun:

Read something encouraging:

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