SAHM Check-In 8/19

shellbell3845 · August 2014

Hi ladies! @Meghan14 is on vacation (and hopefully having a GREAT time), so I'll be your cruise director today. Looking forward to hearing from you all today!

What were your successes this week?

What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week?

What helped save your sanity?

Topic for the week: In what ways is being a SAHM exactly like you thought it would be? In what ways is it very different?

GTKY: Let's talk "end of summer bucket list." What do you still want to do before fall starts?

Feel free to bring up any other thoughts, feelings, or concerns you are having.

Ibliss · August 2014

Biggest challenge?
Dealing with my MIL for 10 days straight. Her and I usually get along great but being together that long can wear on everyone. Also keep LO for long hours in the car.

Successes?
Successfully completing our 10 day, 3000 mile road trip. Nuff said.

What helped keep your sanity?
DH was amazing. I loved getting to spend so much time with him. And he was really observant and understanding about struggles with MIL.

Topic for the week: SAHM, same or different than expected?
I thought I'd have more time honestly. It was surprising how much I want to accomplish and how much actually gets done.

GTKY? End of Summer bucket list.
Honestly, I'm ready for fall. We have completed all our vacations. It is too hot still and I am ready for cooler days. And an exciting holiday season, filled with 'firsts' for LO.

Comments or concerns? DH and I are struggling to find a balance between his work and helping at home. His job is very successful and keeps him busy and stressed. I would like more help for MOTN feedings and him participating when he's home. It's an ongoing struggle to find a balance.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

@lbliss I think the DH thing is quite possibly always going to be a struggle in our house. Not a huge thing, but definitely something that surfaces from time to time. Like this week -- DH scheduled something for after work three of five days. Oh, okay, DH. I get frustrated because he's my adult interaction and my relief from parenting, except when he's not home until 9pm, I'm essentially flying solo from the moment LO wakes until he goes to bed. It's hard. DH and I have lots of talks about it, and he knows that there are days where I need him. I also have absolutely zero qualms about kicking him out of bed to do MOTN. Oh, you work all day and need the sleep? So do I.

@joybaby5 I really hope you can get to a place where you're excited about your trip and can just enjoy and relax. I know the leaving will be hard -- maybe the hardest thing ever. But I hope once you get to your vacation, you can enjoy your H and really relax. Think about how refreshed and ready to play and swing you'll be when you get home!

JackieP1023 · August 2014

What were your successes this week? Probably just keeping my sanity through the confusion that is MH work schedule!

What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week? Figuring everything out. MH schedule has been changing a lot lately, sometimes at the last minute. I try to plan everything a week in advance, and daycare + my work days are dependent on his schedule. Hard to plan a week in advance when he doesn't know his schedule until Friday for the following week!

What helped save your sanity? Having some time with MH lately. He was off early on Friday, took off on Sunday, and won't work again until Wed/Thursday night. Yesterday was his birthday, so I made stuffed manicotti and pumpkin pie, and we spent the day hanging out as a family-even went and found a nature trail!

Topic for the week: In what ways is being a SAHM exactly like you thought it would be? In what ways is it very different? I don't SAH full time, but the days that I am home, I am always surprised by how quickly the time flies, and how little I get accomplished during the day when I have DD!

GTKY: Let's talk "end of summer bucket list." What do you still want to do before fall starts? I am over summer. Our vacation is planned for the fall (so we can watch my brother play football), and I'm ready for that to be here. Bring on the bonfires, football, and cool evenings! I've been sunburned pretty bad a couple times this year, and I don't want to do that again!

Feel free to bring up any other thoughts, feelings, or concerns you are having.

@ibliss We have the same struggles as far as finding a balance. DH does a lot of the MOTN stuff (simply because DD isn't up much, and he hears her better than I do) When he is on shift, he works long hours, but only a few days a week, and he usually feels like his off days he should spend doing HIS stuff (yardwork, etc)-but he doesn't realize, I need to be able to do some of MY things too...

@joybaby5 Good luck! We have only left DD long enough to go to a baseball game, I can't imagine being gone for any more than a few hours! It sounds as though your DS will be in good hands, though!

@mosaicmoscato I am not a full-time SAHM. I work 20 hours/week at one job (baby free) and 9 hours/week at another (baby welcome). The money is nice (honestly, we wouldn't make it without the money!), but it is also super hectic. The days that I work, I get nothing done at home. Literally nothing. DH makes dinner (usually things like pizza, or corn dogs). And then the days that I am 'off', I spend all of my time trying to make up for those days, and catch up on laundry, cleaning, cook some 'big' meals (we keep leftovers for DH's lunches). I wish I had more time to enjoy DD, but it just isn't possible for us.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

What were your successes this week? LO is sleeping better and napping more consistently. Starting purees has been a really good move for us.

What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week? Our schedule is hectic. Every night this week either DH (mostly DH) or I have something in the evening. It makes for long days for me.

What helped save your sanity? Friday I went out all morning to do errands. LO napped on his normal schedule, just in his car seat. I went to some stores I really like to browse, and I was able to do that.

Topic for the week: In what ways is being a SAHM exactly like you thought it would be? In what ways is it very different? The days tend to go very slowly for me. I thought I'd be living more of a pinterest life -- that I'd have time to cook and bake, craft, organize. Yeah. I'm wearing two different flip flops right this minute because I couldn't find the other in the mess that is my dining room. I wasn't expecting to struggle like I do somedays . I love spending the day with LO, and I like being able to do things like groceries and laundry during the day so I don't have to do them on the weekend.

GTKY: Let's talk "end of summer bucket list." What do you still want to do before fall starts? Family pics outside, visit to the small boat harbor for a picnic, getting the house cleaned and organized, updating LO's baby book.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

@mosaicmoscato I struggled. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll be working PT during the school year. Some days I struggle with that decision -- should I SAH FT? Other days I wonder if I'd be better serving our family by working FT. I think it's a process, and I think it's okay to feel the way you're feeling. You're not alone.

@anji1820 I hope it's going well! We hope you come back to us on your breaks!

@sjelwood Isn't it amazing what just a little alone time does? Mine this week was a trip to the grocery and Kohl's. It wasn't long, but it was enough. I too struggle with having something to talk about outside of my child. DH has all these things about China and HP and his coworkers and the new pizza place. I have poop and solid foods and nap lengths. I'm so glad the nights are going better for you. Thank you for commiserating with me this week. It helped me tremendously to not feel so alone.

Ibliss · August 2014

@shellbell3845‌ It's comforting to know that we aren't the only ones who struggle with the balance. The 'I have to work' excuse bothers me the most. Because why does DH deserve more sleep than me. I sound more upset than I am. I agree it will be an ongoing struggle.

narcissticbeaut · August 2014

What were your successes this week? i got laundry done!!

What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week? grandpa (whom we live with to help take care of) didn't have a good week so his dementia was a bit of a struggle all week

What helped save your sanity? honestly it was the youtube. i love just zoning out and watching vlogs. DH helps too but he adds stress to lol.

Topic for the week: In what ways is being a SAHM exactly like you thought it would be? In what ways is it very different? its lonely for me. I'm a bartender by trade and used to talking with different people all day every day. now i just talk with the baby and grandpa all day--and i think the baby understands me more. plus most of my girlfriends work so its hard to arrange some girl time anymore since we don't work together anymore. that and I'm not good at prioritizing so the house is always a mess -- oops! lol. but i DO LOVE staying at home and hope i never have to go back. its been awesome being with charley and watching him grow

GTKY: Let's talk "end of summer bucket list." What do you still want to do before fall starts? oh i just want summer to be over! I'm sick of the heat and I'm ready for football season!

BB0214 · August 2014

What were your successes this week?

I got so much done around the house and with my business. I feel like I'm getting the hang of doing a lot. But it also helps that I feel like myself for the first time since LO was born.

What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week?

Not feeling guilty for doing something for myself instead of getting stuff done.

What helped save your sanity?

Fun outings like walking around the mall with LO, or having lunch out.

Topic for the week: In what ways isWhat were your successes this week?
What was your biggest challenge or struggle this week?
What helped save your sanity?
Topic for the week: In what ways is being a SAHM exactly like you thought it would be? In what ways is it very different?

It's nothing at all like I imagined. I thought I'd be able to accomplish so much. Honestly, there are days where I feel it's been a successful day if LO is still alive. And I didn't expect that there would be days I wouldn't be feeling the mom thing like on days I'd call off my job when I worked.
GTKY: Let's talk "end of summer bucket list." What do you still want to do before fall starts?
I'm ready for fall, but I'd love to take pictures of LO in my favorite park before they tear out the flowers for the year.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

@bmbrinson I think it's really important to think about not comparing yourself to others. I need to keep that in mind for sure. You're right -- it's hard. You hear about others having promotions and raises and bonuses. And it's hard. My H had a work picnic where they served lobster and steak. It made me a teensy bit jealous. I know this situation is the best for our family, but that doesn't make it any easier some days.

@bb0214 I'm glad you're able to find a routine and get stuff done! You must feel really good about that. And I totally feel you on not being able to call off. I have days like that too. I cope by letting LO watch TV or putting him in the exersaucer more frequently or even by going out for a longer period of time.

@narcissisticbeaut Wow -- sounds like you have your hands full between grandpa and LO. My house is always a mess too. It's clean but cluttered. I like to think that my house can't always be my priority. My first priority is always taking care of the people IN my house. And sometimes that means I'm watching Real Housewives instead of decluttering -- because I have to take care of myself too.

@carleys Good luck on your thyroid test. I'll be hoping for good results. I hear you on not having the stress of back to school. I am going back to school, and I have my own classroom for the first time in awhile, so it's way more than last year when I basically just showed up with the lesson plans I'd used the year before. Enjoy!

@jessasaurus Yay meal planning! It's nice that you have a list of things to get done (I'm not there yet...it's on a mental list of things to get done!), but don't beat yourself up if you don't get everything done when you think you should, if that makes sense. That's my philosophy, anyway!

@JackieP1023 Yikes! That would stress me out. Sometimes my H works odd hours/travels/weekend work, but I can usually count on him being out of the house M-F 8-5:30. The other stuff we know way in advance, and sometimes he can do it from home, so he's still here to help me.

shellbell3845 · August 2014

@paulheath2012 You're so sweet. I really appreciate what @meghan14 does every week! Can you refresh my memory and tell me how many kids you and DH have? I didn't remember you had a SD. (Sorry!)

I think your goal is terrific. I take LO to story time at the library by our house, but what I really need to do is go to some mom group things where I can interact with other moms. That doesn't so much happen at story hour. I need the mom interaction!! Keep us posted on how you find things to do and how they go!

ETA How are you feeling? I hope everything is going smoothly!

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