Being a stay home mom

For the first time since becoming a mom, I am now a fully stay-home mom with no help whatsoever. I know I risk sounding spoilt and pampered here, but the fact is that I have had help since Amy was born because we were fortunate to be living near my in-laws, and subsequently we lived with them.

When we were making plans to move to Melbourne, I already knew what I was getting into – I had to give up my career, learn to be more domesticated (i.e. cook and clean etc) and take care of the two kiddos by myself. I was both excited and nervous.

Well! I’ve been taking care of the kiddos by myself 24/7 for the past two weeks now, and I’m still surviving haha! And, although I am EXTREMELY EXHAUSTED, I learned several interesting things.

a. When we have no choice, we often can do it. We are really more capable than we think sometimes.

b. When I lay down rules or routines for the kids and they have no choice but to follow them, they really adapt very quickly.

c. It is scary, but it is also liberating in a way to be able to have complete say over the kids’ and our lives.

d. It can drive me crazy, but at the same time, it is such a privilege to be able to watch my kids grow and be with them every day.

And, to address some commonly asked questions lately:

#1: Am I a full-time mom now?

Firstly, I don’t even know if that is the right term, because there really is no such thing as a part-time mom. And working moms are by no means freelance moms, you get what I mean? But if you’re asking if I’m now unemployed and at home every day with my kids, then yes.

#2: So, what do you do at home every day?

As much as I wish I could be relaxing and sleeping in and watching TV every day, the reality is quite far from that. In fact, I like how my hubby put it: taking care of the kids is a full time job, and an unpaid one at that! My day starts at 6.30am and it really requires a lot mentally and physically. Besides carrying and rocking the baby, nursing him on demand, changing his diapers, cleaning his spit-ups, feeding him solids, playing and engaging him, I also have to make sure Amy has enough activities to keep her occupied. She also wants me to read to her, play with her, and colour with her. I have to also feed her, change her diapers, check her tantrums, and try to stop the kids from fighting. By the time my hubby comes back at 5.30pm, I’m already quite knackered.

Besides all that, I am forever picking up toys and clearing the house and washing dishes and doing the laundry and preparing food. Whenever possible, I would try to squeeze in time for me to read and write (like this post here) and watch TV (although it’s usually cartoons…) 😛

#3: Do you plan to go back to work? 

I would love to. I love my kids to bits, but I must admit that I do miss getting dressed up and going out to an office, and engaging my brains for work.

But for now, the plan is for me to stay home with the kids until they go to primary school. In the mean time, I will be taking up some short courses whenever I can. I’m also open to any freelance job opportunities of course.

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Are you a stay home mom too? I would love to hear from you and get some tips on how to stay sane!!

 

Love,

Natalie

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