Sanity Tips for New SAHMs

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For those of you who are thinking of staying home, or who are relatively new at the job of being a SAHM, here are a few useful tips:

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DON'T MAKE UNREASONABLE DEMANDS ON YOURSELF *Important!*  Don't make unreasonable expectations about how much you will be able to get done with a baby around the house.  To expect that the house will be clean, all your errands will get done, and that you'll have plenty of free time to pursue other interests is only going to create unhappiness and undue stress.  Be prepared to spend *most* of your time caring for your child(ren)!

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JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP
Find a support network of other mothers as soon as possible.  They will provide you with a new network of friends and people with whom you can share advice and experience.  You can find information on SAHM support groups on this website.  See Support Groups.

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JOIN A BABYSITTING CO-OP
If possible, join a neighborhood babysitting co-op.  Such an organization will allow you to meet other moms plus give you some free time to run errands or even pamper yourself a little during the day!

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KEEP A JOURNAL
Keep a journal of daily life with your child and include some pictures.  This period of a child's life is very short, and believe it or not, it will begin to be very difficult to remember just a few years later.  When you and your child are older, you will cherish the memories brought forth by such a journal.

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FORGET ABOUT THE HOUSE
Don't worry about having a clean house- as a new mom, you have a more important job - to take care of your baby!  When you do clean, just do a little bit at a time.  Remember, no child ever grew up saying, "I wish my mom had spent less time with me and more time cleaning the house!"

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KEEP YOUR NEWBORN NEAR YOU AT NIGHT
Keep the baby in your bedroom for the first few months.  When you have to feed the baby at night, the most you'll need to walk is a few steps - none at all if the bassinet is next to the bed!  Some parents choose to just keep the baby in bed with them and skip the crib altogether.  (I personally found this a little bit too constraining, however.)

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KEEP MEALS SIMPLE
If you think you're going to be able have lots of time to cook and serve gourmet meals now that you're a SAHM, you are grossly overestimating the amount of distraction a new baby will provide!  Here are some ways to keep your meals very simple and easy:
- Order take-out at least once a week, if you can afford it
- Make large meals on the weekend (such as roast turkey, pot roast, large pans of lasagna, etc.)  This will allow you to save leftovers for additional meals.
- Buy prepackaged frozen dinners (such as stir-fry) at the grocery store.  Many of the varieties out now are tastier and healthier than those of the past.
- Cook simple meals which take minimal time to prepare (e.g., grilled chicken breasts with a vegetable, spaghetti & sauce, pork chops & baked potatoes, hamburgers and tator tots.)
- You may find you have little time to prepare yourself a healthy lunch.  You can get individually prepackaged salads, cottage cheese, etc. at the store to allow you to eat healthy *and* fast.  You can also stock up on protein bars or shakes for nourishment when you don't really have time to prepare anything.

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ALLOW YOURSELF SOME SPENDING MONEY
Finances will likely be tight when your family is down to only one income.  Be frugal, but you and your husband should make sure each of you has an allowance.  This will give each of you a little bit of freedom to spend without having to stress about it or consult your spouse.

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TAKE SOME TIME OUT
Figure out a way to take a little time out for yourself each day.  Let your spouse watch the baby for a 1/2 hour while you take a bubble bath, write in your journal, or go for a walk.  Other ideas - read a book, watch your favorite TV program (tape it if necessary), or work on a scrapbook.

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CATCH Z's WHILE YOU CAN
It is nearly impossible to get a good night's sleep with a new baby in the house.  Make sure you rest when the baby rests.  You will be in better spirits and more productive in the long run if you allow yourself a little extra rest instead of trying to get lots of work done when the baby sleeps.

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BE SMART WHEN PAYING FOR BABY ITEMS
When it comes to paying for items such as baby furniture, it is worth spending a lot on certain items such as a dresser and a quality stroller, but a waste of money to spend a lot on other items (that can easily be borrowed or purchased used) such as cribs, bassinets or changing tables.   When my oldest son was born, my husband and I splurged and bought a really nice dresser for him.  He is now eight and is still using it - he'll probably even be able to take it to college!  However, when it came to the crib and changing table, we just borrowed from friends who no longer needed theirs.  A crib/changing table are only needed for a short time, but a dresser can last a lifetime! 

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TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
YOU know your baby better than anyone as you carried the child and are with it 24/7. Trust your instincts as to what is best for your baby. If your friends, your mother, mother-in-law or anyone else gives you advice you don't feel comfortable with, be polite but do it your way! As for the doctor, make him/her listen to your observations, and don't be intimidated.  If you feel the doctor is not responding properly to your concerns, get a second opinion!

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DON'T LET A NEW BABY INTERFERE WITH YOUR MARRIAGE
Once a baby is in the house
it may seem as if finding time for adult conversation or romantic nights alone requires too much effort and energy, but unless a couple puts forth a concerted effort to keep the romance alive, the arrival of a baby can mark the end of passion and the beginning of something closer to a "sibling/best-friend" relationship.  One of the greatest gifts you can give to your children is the model of a successful marriage - one in which both partners listen, respond to, and support one another. Although it may seem difficult to imagine, it is really in your child's best interest for you to set aside a little time without your child so that you can continue to nurture your marriage.

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LISTEN TO DR. LAURA ON THE RADIO
Listening to Dr. Laura's radio program can be a surprising source of support. She is extremely "pro" for stay-at-home moms.  You'll have to get used to her style, and you may not always agree with her, but the undaunted support and praise for SAHMs is worth the listen!

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