Not going back to work

korpatch · June 2016

So I was basically forced to quit my job at the beginning of my third trimester and told that I would be welcomed back with open arms when I was ready to work after the baby was born... With reduced pay, denial of a garrentee bonus, and being unable to use my short term disability.... Needless to say in not going back. During that time, my husband got a really good job and has insurance and covers both of our income. Praise God! Things are tight but we'll make it.
So, how are other stay at home mom's doing with dealing with nap times, play times, and still managing to get everything done?
My guy fights nap time like the plague! Any ideas? I've read all the books.
I feel like if I get a chance to clean, it's a miracle! It still hasn't happened all in the same week. Making dinner at night is supper hard and I'm betting my husband is tired of the same old things!

runningwild · June 2016

I know how you feel. I have 3 kids. My oldest (7) Is out of school for summer. My almost 3 year old still naps (thank the Lord) and of course my 2.5 month old.

I agree it is super hard to find the time to clean house and make meals. I've started doing a lot of crock pot dinners, where I can throw everything in the pot and it's a whole meal ready at once. My baby doesn't fight naps, but she usually only sleeps about 30 minutes at a time.

It will get easier though for sure. I just do what I can for now and the rest will wait.

korpatch · June 2016

Wow! Three! I can't even manage my one!!! Crockpot meals... Any other good tips?

runningwild · June 2016

I've been staying at home for over 7 years so you'd think I would know it all. Haha! But nope.

I try not to stress about my house being super clean. I just tackle one thing at a time... like one day I'll dust, another I'll clean the bathrooms, the next I'll vacuum. Some days nothing gets done.

My DD1 used to fight naps and I would get so frustrated. I just did what I could to survive and she started getting much better around 6 months.

korpatch · June 2016

Then there is hope!! Thanks for the tips!

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · June 2016

I'm new to the stay at home mom thing too! DD is not on a consistent nap schedule, she also fights naps...if I need to put laundry in or take care of her cloth diapers she goes in the swing or the rock-n-play or her crib. Sometimes she cries for a few minutes, but I've decided that's ok!

Also, babywearing is helpful in getting things done.

My DH gets home from work around 4 p.m. so he'll usually keep DD entertained while I'm making dinner. I like to plan out all my meals for the week on Monday, get all the grocery shopping done on Monday and we're good to go for a week. Having a game plan for the week makes it less stressful when meal time rolls around!

momofmanyinthemitten · June 2016

Meal planning and making double batches so I can freeze one has really helped. DH is on a strict diet for health reasons, so most crock pot meals are out for us.☹️ This April 16 baby is the only one of my four kids under 6 that still naps, but all my kids have quiet time a couple times during the day. I also have a cleaning lady who comes twice a month. It's worth the money. I pick up toys and clean the kitchen nightly, but she does the dirty work for me.

Missingchampagne · June 2016

I work from home, so I work and manage the household and baby in a day. It's all about time management. I make lists using the Wunderlist app which pops up reminders for me. I stay up at night adding things to my lists, and setting realistic "due" times for them so I don't miss work or family deadlines. Things like "call pediatrician" and "schedule dentist for husband" all get added on the fly as I think of them.

Also, I know Amazon Prime is expensive to join, but bite the bullet! I never deal with leaving home to buy dog food, baby formula, wipes, or diapers because the moment we're low I order them and they're here immediately.

I also use Shipt, which is a grocery delivery service where they bring the groceries to your house. Not sure if you have something comparable in your area, but it's great not to have to take a newborn shopping. I save the "weekly purchases" that I buy every week, and add them to my cart in one click so that milk, eggs, things I know I'll always need get added instantly. Then I add in the other stuff I'm making for the week.

Crockpot meals are also great. Add everything to the crockpot whenever, and it's ready whenever! No big deal if the baby is crying or freaking out at the EXACT time you would be cooking otherwise.

Lastly, I told my husband that it's very important for him to come home and ask me "is there anything you need help with today?" before he dives into doing his own thing. That way he develops a habit of coming home, eating dinner, helping me out, and THEN relaxing. That way if there's anything I didn't get to, no biggie, my reinforcements are coming home soon!

loveymay · June 2016

@Missingchampagne Im so jealous!! I would join amazon prime for things like diapers and formula. But I live in a dumb small town and there is no grocery delivery service around here, unfortunately. I hate going grocery shopping! So since I have ti go to the store regularly, I just pick up baby stuff while Im there. But man, it would be awesome, nay, a dream to have everything delivered to my house!

korpatch · June 2016

I live in a big city, but don't have a whole lot of disposable income for those things. I totally agree with husband helping out when he gets home. He writes and checks over code all day, so he wants to be up and active after getting hope anyway.

Missingchampagne · June 2016

korpatch said:

I live in a big city, but don't have a whole lot of disposable income for those things. I totally agree with husband helping out when he gets home. He writes and checks over code all day, so he wants to be up and active after getting hope anyway.

I find that I spend less on groceries when I use a service, because nothing is bought on a whim just because I spot it on a shelf. The only extra fee is the monthly $10 that Shipt charges to use their service, so for me that's worth it for all the saving I'm doing.

korpatch · June 2016

Missingchampagne said:

korpatch said:

I live in a big city, but don't have a whole lot of disposable income for those things. I totally agree with husband helping out when he gets home. He writes and checks over code all day, so he wants to be up and active after getting hope anyway.

I find that I spend less on groceries when I use a service, because nothing is bought on a whim just because I spot it on a shelf. The only extra fee is the monthly $10 that Shipt charges to use their service, so for me that's worth it for all the saving I'm doing.

Shipt isn't in our area and the servic that is, is more expensive.

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · June 2016

If you have a Target Red Card you can order household basics, diapers, etc. and get free shipping...would save you time at the store and doesn't cost extra like Prime or other services.

redselig · June 2016

I have three full days without SO and I try not to make it too hard on myself. All the big cleaning (bathroom, vacuum, etc.) and large grocery shopping is when SO is here. LO has 3-4 naps during the day depending on what time he wakes up. His crib naps are anywhere between half an hour to an hour. During these crib naps I prepare lunch and tidy as I go. If LO naps in the Moby wrap he can be in there for two hours and I nap with him if I'm tired or I read/binge watch something. One of our naps is in the stroller and this is an opportunity for me to run errands, meet friends, take a stroll in the park. When LO goes to sleep for the night, I prepare as much as I can for the next day.

MrsCayEye · June 2016

Meal planning is pretty key for me, I try to plan things that will leave left overs and I try to do a crock pot meal once a week. I look for recipes with very easy prep and/or short cook times. As far as cleaning goes, I baby wear or I'll let DD lay on her playmat and get as much done while she's happy, DS is pretty independent so he's usually cool while I get some things done. I have a daily cleaning schedule and what I don't get done gets bumped to the weekend when DH is around to help. I really don't stress it and just do what I can when I can.

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