Thoughts on Being a Stay At Home Mom

Is there anyone else out there who is a SAHM and feels totally unprepared and pretty much rocked by the new life you have acquired. I am willing to bet that most women in their early 30s or late 20s who are at home with their children (full-time or part-time) were never were taught the basics of keeping a home or raising children. Or is it just me?

Up until I had children I lived a life focused mainly on my studies and career. Growing up I never learned to cook or clean and I rarely ever babysat. I think my parents felt as long as I was working hard at school or my athletics that was good enough. And maybe it was at the time. I think back and realize that I never did anything domestic growing up. Were my parents too good to me? I am very blessed and fortunate which I see more clearer each day (each moment) now that I am a mom. Can one ever really be prepared for motherhood without going through it?

I now have 2 beautiful daughters ages 4 and 1 yr old. What will I teach them as they grow up? I am continuing to question this and learn each day.  I do think it is important to know the the fundamentals of keeping a home(whether you are a homemaker or not). How to properly clean a home  (room by room, tips & techniques, good products to use etc...)  and how to cook a good healthy meal would make my life so much easier. I have pretty much failed forward fast for the last 4 yrs as I continue to learn each time. What works and what doesn't. This is important to me because. 1. I want a clean home 2. I don't have the money (yet) for a cleaning service 3. Knowing what to do, how to do it and what to use makes cleaning and cooking: faster, easier and better. I know there are tons of articles and blogs on cleaning and cooking but sometimes I get too overwhelmed with all their information.

And also to add to this mix is the ever so time consuming demands of actually being a mom and raising your  children: changing diapers, bathing, feeding, playing, napping, disciplining etc... The goal of cleaning is truly defeated in 2 min after your child wakes from a nap and eats and then the cycle begins again. How do you incorporate maintaining a home and raising your children and also having fun and enjoyment in your day? AHA!  If only there was an answer to this than motherhood would be easier... better...?
The old saying, it is the journey not the destination is so true in motherhood. But so hard to live out.

I do believe learning quick and easy steps will make your life easier and therefore you have more time for YOU (to read, to write, to workout) which in turn will bring you enjoyment and fulfillment to your day. For me scheduling and planning are so key to being a happy SAHM who is "present" with her kids (mind, body, spirit-you know the difference) or just being there and getting through the day. We all have those days we just want to get through but I want more days where I enjoy want I am doing- Jim Rohn, a successful motivation speaker once said, you don't want to say " I just want to get through the day" but rather you want to say "What can I get from the day."

I like to start a series on easy steps for everyday things like:
1.Typical schedule for the day
2.Cleaning scheduling & cooking tips for the novice
3.Activities for young children
4. Goals for 2013
5.Health and Fitness
6. Beauty and Style
7.What blogs, references I like and recommend
Let's start there and see how it goes.

Have a wonderful day and remember today to "breathe"!