Just looking for some new ideas. I have a very active, very mobile, very high emotion and energy 12 month old. I use the phrase “all gas and no breaks” to describe him a lot lol. Anyways, sleep has been pretty poor lately. I woke up feeling exhausted and am just like “what are we going to do all day?”. Since having a mini me watching me all the time, I have become hyper aware of how much im on my phone. Pre-kid I would just lay on the couch and scroll and watch TV on a day like today. But I dont want him to see me scrolling my phone. I also try to really keep screen time minimal. He watches ms rachel and sesame street occasionally, but in short 10-15min allotments and only when really desperate. Usually, on a day like today, I will go get a coffee and maybe walk around somewhere. Getting out into a new environment really helps both of us. But I cant always go spend money. Im also exhausted and lacking motivation to get up and out of the house. For outdoor activities, its pretty hot out where we live still and if we go to a playground i use a lot of energy following him around while he runs wild lol

I'm just curious what's the norm in your house and as a Stay at home parent that I assume takes the kids out very regularly during the week on your own, does your working partner take the kids out solo at the weekends/when they are off?

How often do they do this and I'm also curious to know if this is something they take upon themselves or do you have to make it happen?

Bonus question: How much solo time do you each get when they are off work?

I'm working toward becoming a SAHM, but I'm nervous about what it's going to look like. I realized that I'd like to have some idea of our weekly family schedule before I leave my job. Our older son will be in preschool until 2pm on weekdays, so it'll just be me with our 15-month-old. I'd like to plan out 1:1 time with my older son, with my husband, time to myself, etc. Otherwise, I worry I'll just be subsumed into my new role. How have you navigated this?

As the title suggests, my fiancee and I are looking at me becoming a SAHD to our 9 month old.

We can do our own budgeting (70% of my paycheck goes to daycare, hence the discussion), but is there any advice you can offer as we look at this?

Everyday I wake up before my 23 mo and I usually just slam coffee, do my skin care routine, put on a cute set, brush my hair and that’s that. I don’t have to make my husband breakfast and I try to do a closing shift at night so I can start my day fresh. I’ve been thinking about making this morning time more intentional, maybe waking up even earlier to walk by myself or do yoga. The thing that kind of throws me off is that I have a part time nanny MWF from 8 am to 3 pm so my routine slightly changes. By the time I wake up early get ready and do said activity I just feel like there’s not enough time. I’m not sure what I’m asking or if I’m even venting but trying to establish a routine beyond getting ready for the day is driving me a little nuts.

Where are we finding part time, preferably remote work these days? What websites are the best place to begin looking?

We are expecting #2 next month. Other will be in preschool during the day.

I had a really horrible and depressing postpartum experience with my first I don’t want to repeat.

What activities did you do with your newborn/infant?

I know we can go for walks, go to the cafe, go to museums, etc. I’m trying to think of what I missed last time especially exercise wise.

I’ve looked at baby and mom yoga classes that look great. With my first I took her to my PT appts and even some Pilates privates but may not so that this time.

What other things should I look into and plan ahead for?

Looking for some non-judgmental opinions- is it weird to use daycare as a stay at home mom? Please read for more context.

I recently became a stay at home mom with my three year old (four in November) and 18 month old. My oldest (five) is in kindergarten.

My kids were in daycare up until I quit. I’ve been staying home for about two months now, and my 3 year old is driving me insane. She has expressed that she misses her daycare friends and teachers. I think she also misses the structure and routine. Her behavior has been awful, but I know it’s because she’s bored and needs more stimulation. I honestly don’t have the mental capacity to do a lot of preschool activities with her (I do feel guilty about it, but that’s besides the point).

I’ve been looking into preschools in the area that offer scholarships, but unfortunately most of them are full or the scholarships are being used, and we can’t afford preschool out of pocket costs. I came across an in home daycare that would be able to offer a scholarship for us. Obviously I wouldn’t send her for really long hours, but I’m seriously contemplating taking advantage of this opportunity. The only drawback is it isn’t really a preschool but more of a daycare setting.

I think it would be helpful. I would have more one on one time with my 18 month, my 3 year old would have the opportunity to socialize, and honestly I think it would help me mentally. I just feel kind of weird about using daycare as a stay at home mom. Am I overthinking it? Respectful opinions welcome.

I'm a sahm I look after baby day time and night

My husband works from home

I've been struggling with motherhood and have been grumpy and irritable with hubby at times

He has suggested he take baby on the morning so I can sleep for an hour and again in evening he does bedtime and I tidy up

He's now saying if the roles with baby not be fed up like me and he would be productive and get household jobs done too and that I make having a baby and excuse for not doing things

He's also said I should take on household admin he does to make it fairer if he takes baby sometimes

I asked for help because I was struggling and he's turned it into this thing about equality

I want to respect he's feeling resentful and try and work it out

He does do a lot for us

But I feel angry . I won't be compensated for the toll of pregnancy or childbirth

I always make dinner , that's been my responsibility by default I've never asked for something in return

he's made it a transaction and I feel I have to prove my contribution

Anyone else feel others are under the assumption that since you watch your own kids that youll probably just watch theirs too? I do work very part time in a hospital and maybe that makes me take my foot out of situations like these. But… idk I just grew up seeing my mom be very self sufficient in our care and maybe that’s why I am so pessimistic about these things. We left for preschool today with my daughter screaming about brushing her teeth and hair and I couldn’t fathom then having to worry about if someone else’s kid is doing the same when we go to pick them up lol. Also someone that is an acquaintance casually asked me if I could just watch her kid every single day and take her to preschool. Huh? I don’t run a day care.

For some reason getting him to eat in the morning has become impossible. He’ll wake up, get ready and just have zero interest in food for the next 3 or 4 hours. I’ll offer toast, cereal, yogurt, even just some fruit so there’s something in his stomach but nope. I’ve tried making breakfast later, giving him smaller portions and letting him choose what he wants the night before. Nothing has really changed it. Once a few hours pass he’ll finally eat but by then half the morning is already gone. I don’t want to force food on him when he genuinely isn’t hungry, but I do worry about him regularly starting the day with nothing. Has anyone dealt with this? Did you find anything that made mornings easier or did you just work around it?

I've been a stay at home dad for the last 8 years, but my family's needs have changed, and it's time to reenter the workforce. I'm wondering what people thoughts are on explaining the gap.

All the first two years were primarily SAHP stuff, I did have a lot on my plate; especially once my daughter started preschool. In addition all the inside homemaker things, I also did all of the outside house work. I managed multiple rental properties (doing most of the work myself), performed significant home remodel and expansions, as well as being a general contractor (and doing a lot of the work) to build a second house on our property.

I'm wondering how to put this on my resume? My initial thought was downplay the SAHP stuff, and really focus on the self employed property manager/general contractor aspect. I recently talked to friend that's still in the industry, and her boss recommended highlighting the SAHP part since that is accepted a lot more these days.

If it matters, I used to work in tech as a computer engineer/data scientist. I'm 47 years old, so I realistically may be aged out of getting back into that field without a personal connection. I applied for a job that had an identical title as my old job and received an immediate rejection, and the job was reposted two days later.

Any one else find themselves staying up entirely too late? Just for the simple fact that you're almost addicted to the peace and quiet? I'm wide awake. There's a million things around the house I could be doing... But I want to just lay here, turn my brain off, and be unwanted for as long as possible.

For some reason getting him to eat in the morning has become impossible. He’ll wake up, get ready and just have zero interest in food for the next 3 or 4 hours. I’ll offer toast, cereal, yogurt, even just some fruit so there’s something in his stomach but nope. I’ve tried making breakfast later, giving him smaller portions and letting him choose what he wants the night before. Nothing has really changed it. Once a few hours pass he’ll finally eat but by then half the morning is already gone. I don’t want to force food on him when he genuinely isn’t hungry, but I do worry about him regularly starting the day with nothing. Has anyone dealt with this? Did you find anything that made mornings easier or did you just work around it?

I have an almost 3 year old and a 14 month old. I have noticed lately that the 3-5ish (from when they wake up from nap until dad gets home) window of time is consistently difficult for me as a SAHM. Those two hours feel like a full day 😅 Looking for any routines, tips, tricks, etc.

Hello my fellow stay at homers!

I just wanted to make a suggestion for something that has been working so well for us. I know many of us struggle with the monotony of this incredibly important role we have at the moment. I was too. Maybe it is the former teacher in me, but I have found something that is easy and is working so well with my 4yo and 2.5yo.

We have been doing weekly themes. I find something that they are interested in or some event that is upcoming and plan our week around learning about that topic.

We borrow new books from the library, do a craft a day, usually have a related sensory bin, use our 30 tv time for related show, listen to new music etc.

It has been such a good time and my kids are actually learning things along the way.

We are currently doing “fossil week” and went to a local lake to find fossils in the rocks. It is adorable to hear my 2.5 year old say he is a paleontologist. Hahaha

Anyway I know this is not for everyone, but just want to throw that idea out there if you are interested!