Top 10 Things All Moms At Home Should Have

1. A Sense of Humor
 Life is messy especially with young children. I am a type A personality. I like order and a sense of control. This has rocked my world with being a SAHM. What I constantly have to remind myself is to "Not Take Everything So Seriously" After stepping on my 10th cheerios of the day (and it is only 10am, pretty good) or play-doh or whatever it is, you have to laugh at it all. Nothing is perfect and sometimes it just has to be "Good Enough" LAUGH

2. A Plan
This one is hard for me to do because sometimes I don't want to think, I don't have the energy or I can't even think of one. But is so important! Having a plan for the day, week etc... makes your life easier and helps you from going insane. If anyone reads this blog and wants more info on this, I would love to share it. However, there is a caveat. Back to #1. Life is not perfect. You may go completely off plan but that's ok. Having a plan makes the day go faster, makes you actually get things done and will bring you more enjoyment with your day.

3. Help (Babysitter/Family)
Yes, I said it help. When I had my first child I was so afraid to ask for help. But I have quickly learned that I can't do it all myself. If you have a family member who can help often that is great. I unfortunately don't. My husband works long hours. And after 3 years of very little help and another child to the mix, I realized I needed to get babysitters. Yes plural. I like to have 3 sitters I can go to because you never know if one will cancel or not be available. I have had great success with CARE.com. If anyone wants more info on that please let me know. My husband and I have date night every week and I also have a babysitter come every Friday afternoon. This allows me to get all my chores done by myself without any distractions. Wonderful! Sometimes I don't even do chores. I'll spend the time getting my hair done or going shopping. It is worth the investment.

4. Sleep
I believe most Mommy meltdowns are do to fatigue and lack of proper rest. I try to go to bed every night at the same time. ( no later than 10:30 for me) This I know is hard if you have an infant whose sleep is erratic and / you are breast feeding. My husband and I took shifts. I would go to bed early and he would stay up with the baby. Then I would feed the baby in the middle of the night. He would help in the mornings. Also, if you have a family member who could come over to watch the baby, you can also take a shower and a nap then.

 5. Friend/s
I have been so fortunate to have a mommy friend that I can call anytime of the day who "gets it" and also helps and gives advice. It makes you feel that you are not alone and not crazy. Sometimes, husbands just don't understand. It is nice for them too not to always have a wife crying or bothering them at work. I know it can be hard to find that friend. I know because I moved away from all my family and friends. You have to put yourself out there. Libraries, church, mommy groups, baby classes, parks... Seek and you shall find. I believe that.

6. HandHeld Cordless Vacuum
Because they are amazing! Sounds so simple and silly. But if you don't have one you are missing out. The car alone makes it work it. With all the crumbs and stuff scattered everywhere. I use it throughout my day. I can't tell you how many time we spill a bowl of fishys and then step all over them. It can drive me crazy. But I just quickly get my handheld and the mess is gone.

7. Rubber gloves for Cleaning and Washing Dishes
Why didn't I know this earlier! My poor hands. When cleaning and doing the dishes, wear rubber gloves. I like to buy the fancy kind-my are pink with hearts. It makes doing dishes or cleaning bottles not so bad. Your hands will thank you. My hands got so dry and cracked. It hurt so bad and I had to wear band aids all over my hands. Not fun.

8. Time to Yourself
Pretty self explanatory and brings me back to # 3. We all need to have time to ourselves. To read, write, exercise, shop... I also think it's important to spend time with yourself. With motherhood you realize you are changing. You are trying to find out who you are, what you want, and what you don't want. For me this is in the evenings. After the kids are asleep and my husband goes down stairs for dinner. I have my "SPA" time. That is what I like to call it. I wash my face and I take a shower. This is the time when I can pluck my eyebrows, shave my legs whatever and no one is rushing me. It is awesome. I also pray and read at this time. I may even reorganize my closet and clothes. It is ME time.

9. A Planner
Going back to #2 A Plan, you will need a planner especially as the kids get older and have more activities. Most of you probably already know this and have it but again it is so important. I put everything down in my planner. Since I am type A I also have a family calendar, too. I put it both places. I also use a black composition notebook. That is where I write down my plan for the day. I write ideas or any info throughout the day I think important. I've been doing this for years (since I was in school) Writing things down helps me remember them. Plus, putting it in the same book everyday, I never need to go looking for it because it is always written down in my notebook. So helpful.

10. Perspective and Expectations
Lastly, expectations and perspective. We all have expectations from life and especially motherhood. I believe a lot of frustration and depression occurs because of our unfulfilled expectations. A child that won't nap; a tantrum in the grocery store, a clean kitchen one minute and disaster the next; and the list can go on and on. Also expectations of your life. Do you enjoy want you are doing? And then there is perspective. That is the key we all should come back too. For moms will little kids-there will be tantrums, messes, sickness, crying, lots of crying. All of it. But that's ok. Life is messy. Kids are kids. I have to work on this every day, every minute because by 5 o'clock I am tired and at that point have reached max capacity. But again, I say to myself, "Don't take yourself so serious, laugh, and sometimes you just have to hold on"

Hope this helps... Have a Wonderful Day! And remember always SMILE.