So , what do you think is great about being a SAHM?

[heeeeerekittykitty]

Hi !

Im a SAHM to a gorgeous 7 month old DS. I am pregnant with my second and intend on being a SAHM till all my kids eventually are in school.

So anyway what I am about to say is abit of a contradiction ! I absolutely love it. Wouldnt have it any other way ! Yet I dont know if its my severe morning sickness lately and tiredness, but I am struggling to get through the days.

I am feeling so unmotivated with the monotony , the same old everyday day in day out and because I am feeling so sick I just cant be bothered . I wake up every morning at 5:30 (:hair:) and think hmm , another day to get through.

Can anyone relate ?

As kids get older does it become easier due to more activities , they are more interactive etc ? Or harder because they are more demanding ?

So I need a little pep me up to get me going again about why being a stay at home mum is so amazing. ( and I am forever grateful I am in the position to be able to afford this !! )

Ill start .....I hope people join me and share their experiences / what they love about it !!


First and foremost , being able to share every moment with my DS and see every bit of development and to just know him inside and out and wake up to that beautiful smile everyday. We are like buddies all day, he hangs with me , where I am he is :D
Being able to bum around in my PJs all day long and look like a feral because I dont have to go anywhere.
I love the news , so being able to watch Sunrise all morning (Kochie lover here)
Being able to make myself yummy food if Im hungry.
Being able to make Yummy dinners
Being able to watch Dr Phil and Oprah and as much other daytime tv as I like ( albeit distractedly while looking after a bub but still !! )
Having a relatively clean house all the time as can clean and maintain daily.
Being able to just think , hey I might go out shopping today , even if its to window shop its nice to enjoy the daylight hours out and about , I used to be cooped up in an office all day long.
I could go on and on but there is some , trivial I know but they all contribute to me enjoying it !

I really just need to get my SAHM groove back and am hoping when the feral first trimester sickness passes it will appear !!!

xxoxooxoxox

Ps - after this little essay please someone reply to me lol. :o

[elleandsam]

Well as I have a 13 month old and am utd with number 2 I've found the ability to make appointments that suit me rather than my boss has been great. When DD is sick I don't have to worry about daycare or time off, I just stay home with her. I can nap in the afternoon if I'm feeling really run down.

[chicken and eggs mum]

My favourite things are just seeing my DD develop and learn new things everyday and not missing them cause I am not with her.

I love being able to plan my day and not worry about work!!!

I love long lunches with my mums group!!

I love being able to go do things at non peak times!!!!

I just love everything!!!

And a fellow UTD'er with a young one too!!!!

[lambjam]

Hello, fellow SAHM here! What a lovely list you have there :goodvibes:.

I worked full-time from when DS1 was 9 months until he started primary school, when I went on maternity leave with DS2. I intended to go back to work (at least part-time) but still haven't, and with a 9 month DS3 it looks like I won't be going back for some time yet!

The biggest problem I had with working was the juggle between home life and work life. I felt like I couldn't commit 100% to either, and I hated that. When I was at work I could never arrive early or stay late, and I took so many sick days it was ridiculous. When I got home I was tired, rushing dinner and bedtime and unable to appreciate the few short hours I spent with my son each day.

There are many days I really miss working; I would love to dress up again, have lunch breaks, use my mind a little more, and actually be able to complete a task according to my own schedule! However there will be plenty of time for that when I have less to juggle.

About a month ago I decided I might go back part-time in the new year. I put out feelers at my old work and got as far as putting DS3's name down at a childcare centre. I then spent the next 3 weeks with each of the boys taking turns at various infections... I would have had to take 3 weeks off work. Enough said :rolleyes:.

So, long story short, the best thing about being a SAHM for me is the fact that I've chosen one task and can commit to it 100% :thumbsup:.

[TurnedBatty]

I'll reply! :)

I was a SAHM starting since last october, quit work when I got pregnant. We only had my son (7) one week, and my step-son (3) for four days of that same week. You would think I would get bored the week they aren't here, but no, I turned into a massive hermit! Our baby is now five weeks old, I'm still a bit of a hermit, but to be honest I'm not really into playgroup and stuff. I don't fit in really.

It does get a bit boring, I suppose I atleast have the change of how many kids are here week to week to keep me entertained. :) But here is what I like:

- being a hermit. I love choosing not to talk to anybody.
- being able to nap. :o
- Doing the dishes, clothes etc when I choose to, rather than when I have time only
- Being able to make nice dinners because I have time
- not having to work. I wasn't enjoying it, and I would much rather deal with crap our kids come out with then work where I was.
- being able to be spontaneous, instead of having to pre plan everything.

I'm sure there are more, but the baby is crying. Again. Sigh.

[trishalishous]

I love that my boss is happy to sit/nap/feed while I have a coffee with friends/walk round the shops or even spend a rainy day in bed with me :)
my boss is demanding, but the smiles, laughs and kisses are the best wages I've ever received.
honestly being a mum is the best job I've ever done. so fulfilling, every day I feel that I've acheived something, even if it was only having a contented baby and the house is a mess.

[RoarsomeMum]

As a SAHM I Love so many things!

I Love that I am the primary influence in Roars life, that being strong and positive is teaching her how to be. :goodvibes:

I love LEARNING!! I always thought being a parent was to be a "teacher" and it is somewhat, but I had NO IDEA I would also become a student. Roar has taught me more about innocence, compassion, make believe and Love than my childhood ever had the chance to.. I thank her so much for that, and know I would experience it less or not at all if I was working outside of the home.

Her Tantrums are a billion times less annoying and offensive than my Ex-managers. I appreciate that!

I am HAPPY! In a way I never thought I could be, simply because I have the opportunity to be home with a child we never thought we would/could have.

She suggests awesome food projects, once I would never have thought of!

I have an apparent "social excuse" for my messy house! (even though it is the same as it was before Roar, it's seeming more acceptable to be messy now! Got to love that! :laughing::yelclap:)

I Simply Love Roar!! She is hilarious, full of mischief and trouble but full of love and wonder too (that fuel her mischief!) - Being allow to be with her 24/7 is just awesome! (Most days!)


I am going to miss her sooooooooooooooooooooooo much once she starts School. :crying:

[heeeeerekittykitty]

Thanks so much for all your replies !!! Chicken and eggs mum how old is your little bub and when are you due ? On iPhone so can't see if you have info in your signature !!

Trishalicious I am laughing at your "boss" post , I here you !!!!! Me and dh call ds master as really , he is the master of this house !!! He runs it and that is just the way we like it , we are run by two cats also !!

Everyones replies are beautiful and I really think how lucky we are and what a privelege it is to be able to stay home with our babies and not miss minute , unfortunately so many people want to but just can't for many reasons !

Would love to hear from any other sahm ?

It's quite funny how at times something that is so rewarding / fun / such a blessing can also be monotonous all at the same time , my days sometimes feel like groundhog day
!! I feel horrible , I seem to be the only one here that feels like this !!

Only a month ago I never ever felt like this , so whether it's just my first trimester sickness/ tiredness wearing me down or perhaps just 9 months into being home it's inevitable to feel the monotony ? ... Who knows !!!!

[Refresh]

Hi....I am a SAHM to 4 children and am pregnant with number 5. I cannot imagine it any other way :)

My kids are 10, 6, 3, 22 months and I am 6-7 months pregnant and things certainly get busier when they get older.

My list of pros :

I do not have to worry about juggling anything else around being a mum.

I can take them to their activities everyday and be there to watch - kindergym, playgroup, ballet, soccer, gymnastics, music, etc.

I can attend all events/concerts/sports days/etc/ at school and help out - do tuckshop, in class reading, marshalling, etc.

I can have dinner ready and house tidy for when DH gets home so we can all really relax as a family.

It is easy for me to go and pick up a sick child from school if I need to.

I have LOADS of other SAHM friends to socialise/go to lunch, activities, gym, etc with.

I can do the things that they would be doing at daycare with them - playdough, painting, reading, etc...I love watching them learn.

My kids are good company!!!

[embryonichappyperson]

Not having to work? lol

[Myztiks#1Fan]

i was a SAHM for the first year of coops life(up until the week he turned 1. i then worked either full time or part time in the 2 jobs i had right up until just after his 3rd birthday this year.

when i was a SAHM the first time, i honestly hated it and thought it was teh worst thing ever tbh. now i am slowly enjoying it more and more. we are so busy these days that we are barely at home. i am now enjoying my time with him rather than hating it.

i do work about 5hours a week atm but he goes to daycare that day anyway. he goes to daycare for 2days per week as i enjoy that break from him and i also didnt want to take everything away from him such as his friends he made at daycare as i wanted some routine still in his life.

now with me at home with him, i am able to study and also going on holidays in 3wks time for 2wks which i am really looking forward to.

[mum2bubba]

I guess seeing my kids reach their milestones.

[ThisIsLiving]

Well I'm not technically a SAHM as have two part-time/casual jobs but about to quit one and just work 5 hours a week casual (so almost SAHM!)...but the biggest thing for me is/will be...

Being able to spend the school holidays with my children. :yelclap: Am really looking forward to September and Christmas holidays as I always have to work extra shifts over school hols and I feel like I miss the only time I'd ever have with my school aged DD. So this time, minus one job, it'll be great. Very much looking forward to it. :yes:

[Refresh]

Yeah, the school holidays are a huge thing!! I never want to be in the position where I have to juggle my kids around work and not see them in the holidays....I LOVE school holidays :D

[decambla]

Hi! Great thread !
I love
• not being schedualed. We can go to the park, or paint, or read, feed the ducks. Whatever they want!
• if they are sick I can take care of them
• being the biggest influance in their lives
• general random conversations that happen with my kids everyday
• witnessing all their milestones
I'm sure there is lots more that I'll think off too

[MummaBear03]

I loved seeing everything she did, every new thing she learnt, being there as she took it all in, seeing her when she found her hand for the first time, watching as she took her first steps, watching her form words after watching me talking to her, spending all day knowing she was with me and nobody else. I feel so guilty working in childcare, seeing children learn new things, take their first steps for the daycare staff instead of their parents, I just feel overcome by guilt and feel bad for the parents, like I'd love to have a video camera going on each child so each parent can see every aspect of the child's day, but that isn't possible. I loved that I was there for her, despite all the struggles that lack of money can bring.

I went back to work when she was 1.5 but not full time, and stopped again when she was 2 until I could get her into a better childcare centre. I've mostly been at home this year and she's in school, but I've been able to stay at the school for a while, be actively involved in her education, attend her appointments without having to feel bad or apply for time off work.

I guess that's the biggest thing for me. If I'm not working, I can take her to appointments without work colleagues looking down at me, or without the fear of not securing time off and having her miss out on vital therapies.

[Beck13]

I'm another SAHM who loves it! I can relate to your lack of enthusiasm while pregnant - I was exactly the same through most of my pregnancy with ds2. He is now 11 weeks old and I feel like my old self. The monotomy has vanished and now I feel like I don't have enough time in the day. It can be frustrating as I feel like ds1 is missing out a bit and forced to entertain himself a bit while I feed/settle ds2, but he is 3.5yrs and quite independent so is handling it well. I don't find I have much time to myself now, while ds2 is sleeping I'm trying to do activities with ds1 but I love every minute of it. Today we have been jumping on the trampoline and playing a game that I made up with yoga poses. I printed out and laminated a heap of yoga poses (he loves to copy me while doing yoga) and put them on the ground and he gets a soft ball and throws it and whichever yoga pose it lands on or near we both do. He loved it and we were both getting a bit of exercise. I love to watch my children develop and often laugh at the things ds2 comes up with - we have just been camping for a few days so for the week after he was roleplaying everything we saw and did while away! so cute. I have made some of the best friends I have ever had since being a SAHM - go playgroup!!

[~Candy~]

What's so great about being a SAHM?...well that's easy. I am ALWAYS there for my kids :yes:

[Leisa21]

I love being a SAHM and being the number one person he depends on all the time. I love that I can teach him so much by being at home. I love that I don't miss a smile or a tear and I'm always there to make it okay. I love that he loves me so much and 12 hours a day I get to see that. I love that cooking, cleaning and chores take twice as long but are twice as fun.

I love watching how excited he gets when Daddy's home. I love talking about Daddy and making plans while it's just us. I love that I can stay in jammies until i feel like it. I love that we can play for hours, walk to the park, head out for breakfast just the two of us and do as we please without schedules. I love having someone to talk to and listening to all the things he has to say.

I just love him with all my heart and love that I can have a day like today and he understands. I'm a bit down because DH has gone back to work and I've got a headache. Apart from snuggles, reading, cars and cooking DS has entertained himself because I'm tired. I can have these days and not feel guilty because I'll make it up to him tomorrow, the day after, the day after that etc.

I'm terrified at the thought of school! I don't want tonlose my baby!

[mum2bubba]

My kids are able to do activities like swimming etc and I can be there with them, if I was working full time I wouldn't be able to do that.

[heeeeerekittykitty]

I love all your guys replies they're awesome !! It's a beautiful thing to be there for your kids always :-)

I'm another SAHM who loves it! I can relate to your lack of enthusiasm while pregnant - I was exactly the same through most of my pregnancy with ds2. He is now 11 weeks old and I feel like my old self. The monotomy has vanished and now I feel like I don't have enough time in the day. It can be frustrating as I feel like ds1 is missing out a bit and forced to entertain himself a bit while I feed/settle ds2, but he is 3.5yrs and quite independent so is handling it well. I don't find I have much time to myself now, while ds2 is sleeping I'm trying to do activities with ds1 but I love every minute of it. Today we have been jumping on the trampoline and playing a game that I made up with yoga poses. I printed out and laminated a heap of yoga poses (he loves to copy me while doing yoga) and put them on the ground and he gets a soft ball and throws it and whichever yoga pose it lands on or near we both do. He loved it and we were both getting a bit of exercise. I love to watch my children develop and often laugh at the things ds2 comes up with - we have just been camping for a few days so for the week after he was roleplaying everything we saw and did while away! so cute. I have made some of the best friends I have ever had since being a SAHM - go playgroup!!

Hi bec !! Glad to see I'm not alone regarding how I'm feeling being pregnant . I've just lost motivation during the day , I feel so sick and tired that I struggle through them . It's actually making me question how much I though I was actually loving motherhood :-( I am hoping that it's just the pregnancy sickness , but I think it's also coincided with the age ds is .

At 8 months he is absolutely precious and that smile and giggle melts my heart . Yet seeing as he obviously doesn't talk back yet I'm finding that the days drag and I'm getting very bored and lonely . He's at that inbetween stage of not crawling or walking , not really being able to entertain himself for too long , and doesn't really have day naps yet he's got ants in he's pants and never wants to sit still , so I struggle to find things to keep him entertained all day and my day really drags.

I may be eating these words but I can't wait till I have an interactive , talking , chatterbox little man and I'm run off my feet doing activities with him , taking him to lessons , the park etc .... I'm sure then I'll enjoy the sahm experience even more . Don't get me wrong , I'm not wishing these times away I treasure my little baby but it can get monotonous . I am hoping a 14 month age gap with the new bub will also keep me so busy that I'll be wishing for these days where I sometimes feel bored and lonely . ( god I bet I'll eat those words once I experience two kids so close in age !!!)

Anyway thank you if you've read this far , can anyone relate to this when your kids were around this age ? ( as it sounds like slotbof you have older bubs/ toddlers )? Any feedback would be great so I stop feelinglike such a terrible mum for feeling like alot of my day is a chore :-( it's taken me awhile to admit this feeling I feel horrible and so guilty .

Thanks all

[Beck13]

Don't feel guilty! He will never even remember this time. You need to take care of yourself so you can take care of him. It won't be long at all and he'll be toddling around and jabbering away. My ds1 started walking at about 11mths and talked quite early too (can't remember exactly) but he hasn't shut up since! Actually this age (3.5) is great as we have some very interesting conversations!! Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can. It is great though once they are a little more interactive and you can get involved in activities with them - it makes the day go faster and more fun!

[lemongrass]

Not paying childcare lol..

[joy2me]

As well as all of the above -

I see it as an opportunity to pursue my own interests, find my life purpose, gifts and what I'm good at so I can do what I love when I go back to work or hopefully work for myself!

This time at home is such a wonderful opportunity!

[JabberJaw]

I love that my DD has me in fits of laughter every single day....she is 2.5 and it is a fabulous age where she can communicate well and we have lots of fun. With my other kids, i worked so they were in childcare by DD's age so its a totally different experience for me. I am even finding the whole toilet training fun :laughing: daycare had the other kids trained, not me (sad but true) it makes me sad for all the stuff i missed with the other kids, but it was the best for them at the time, so no point dwelling on it.

Must say its damn hard work though :yes: i work damn hard as a SAHM.

I work every night (6 nights a week) but sont start till 5 so i am effectively a SAHM kind of :D