7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity as a Stay At Home Mom with a Baby

7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity as a Stay At Home Mom with a Baby

I didn’t think I was going to be a stay at home mom, but the pandemic had a different plan for me! It took some major lifestyle adjustments, but now I love it!

A lot of feelings of stress and burnout as a stay at home mom are because life seems chaotic and out of our control. To a point, this is just a reality of parenthood because the moment you think you have life figured out, your baby’s changing things up on you! 

Luckily, you can have a balanced life as a stay at home mom with these sanity-saving tips!

1. Establish a routine, but keep it flexible!

Establishing a flexible routine that you follow everyday will help you feel a little more control over your life. Babies also thrive on routine and predictable schedules so it really is a win win!

Find the daily routine that works best for you and your family. It will vary based on the age of your baby as well!  

If you need some inspiration, it could look a little like this:

Mornings:

• Wake up and make your bed
• Wash up to start the day
• Get baby up
• Change and feed baby
• Enjoy breakfast with coffee or tea while baby has some play time
  (my baby is obsessed with this kick & play piano gym which buys me a lot of time)

Afternoons:

• During baby’s naps: complete a chore, shower, or rest if you need it
• In between nap times: eat a quick lunch and take baby outside for fresh air

Evenings:

• Eat dinner
• Bedtime routine for baby: feed, bath, pajamas, read books, sleep
• Wind down routine for you: Watch a show or read a book to relax
• Go to bed at a decent hour

You probably won’t be able to follow the routine exactly the same way everyday because life has unexpected circumstances: doctors appointments, visitors, sleep regressions, and teething are a few examples. It’s okay to be flexible! But having a general schedule will help you make the most out of your day!

2. Set goals for each day

Have a list of goals you would like to accomplish each day. Think about which tasks can be completed while the baby is awake, and which ones will have to be done while your baby is napping. If it helps keep you organized: get a day planner or put a “to do list” in the note section of your phone.

Remember: the number one goal is to get through the day in whatever way we can! I know some days are just plain difficult! For example, if the baby was up a million times during the night or won’t let you set them down, you may not be able to accomplish anything on the list. That. Is. Okay. Some days are survival-mode and you can try again tomorrow. 

3. Keep meals simple

I know as mothers we can get so caught up in the needs of our babies that we forget our basic needs. Don’t forget to eat!  Ensuring you get proper nutrition and calories throughout the day is important for regulating your mood. 

You might not have time to cook three meals a day, but here are some time saving tips!

Breakfast can be simple: Try a fried egg and toast, yogurt with berries and granola, or avocado toast. These nutritious breakfasts all take less than 5 minutes to whip together!

If you don’t have time to cook lunch and dinner, freezer meals or restaurant take-out are perfectly acceptable alternatives. When you do cook, make extra large batches and freeze or refrigerate the leftovers to have later.

Do you want to make a home cooked dinner for your family that literally takes less than 30 minutes?! Try my Super Easy Taco Soup!

4. Go outside everyday

Staying at home with a baby can be isolating. I had my baby in the middle of the pandemic, so I felt even more stir-crazy since I couldn’t get out of the house and visit friends or wander aimlessly around Target without worrying I was exposing myself and my baby to a virus.

A daily walk is good for you mentally and physically! When the weather is nice, get out your stroller or baby carrier and take the baby out for a 30-minute stroll around the neighborhood. It’s an instant mood-booster to  get fresh air and exercise. It is also good for your baby because getting outside is calming and provides a new stimulus for their developing brain!

We all have days where we just don’t have energy or motivation. If you don’t have it in you to go out for a walk, just go into your yard or patio for a couple minutes. Show your baby some plants and feel the breeze on your face. It will make you feel better and helps break up the monotony of the day.

5. Dress up for outings

As a stay at home mom, you might feel like you are constantly in a messy bun and pajamas. So when you do leave the house, even if it’s just going to a doctor’s appointment or grocery shopping, give yourself a confidence boost by dressing up a little. 

You don’t have to style your hair and do a full face of makeup (unless you want to!), but looking put together will help you feel a little bit more like yourself!

6. Find a project just for you

Find a hobby or project you enjoy. As a first time mom I know I became obsessive over everything related to my baby. I lost myself in motherhood because I was passionate about it. Still, I needed something else to care about so I could think about something other than babies. That’s why I started this blog and even took up learning a new language using a mobile app called Duolingo. 

It doesn’t have to take up all your time. Maybe just spend 20-30 minutes a day doing something just for you! Your hobby could be gardening, making music, buying old furniture and painting it, or designing funny T-shirts. Maybe you can create something and sell it online! Bonus points if you can make a little pocket money doing it! 

Finding something else to focus on other than your baby will keep your brain sharp!

7. Don’t waste precious nap time!

Naptime is precious so don’t let it go to waste. Don’t spend it mindlessly scrolling through social media. Instead, Plan out what really needs to be done during your baby’s nap that can’t be done while they are awake:

• Cook dinner
• Pay a bill
• Get a 20 minute workout in
• Shower
• Nap if you need rest

Conclusion

You and I both know: It’s easy to feel burnout when you are constantly at home caring for a demanding baby! I hope these tips help you develop a balanced lifestyle that makes you confident as a stay at home mom. Taking care of yourself means you can enjoy time with your sweet baby to the fullest!

What saves your sanity as a stay at home mom?

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