Tips on How to Survive Being a SAHM with No Helper at Home

For almost four years I lived the life of a stay-at-home mom with no helper at home. 


We also live an hour away from our relatives, in short, it's just me and the kids at home while Hubby's at work. I always bring them wherever I go - at the bank, doctor, supermarket, city hall. And on most days, I have an audience in the bathroom.


On top of that, we also homeschool our kids, do chores, blog, and have an online part-time job. Juggling several hats was hard but there are ways to survive. Quite frankly, my body was shouting to have some pampering. My husband has always been helpful, sometimes, however, you need more than help around the house. It's quite common for people to search online for a professional massage near me, as this can make all the difference when you're feeling stressed out or run down. So if your schedule is wearing you out, sometimes it is worth considering getting an extra hand to relieve you of some stress.


For 4 years this was our routine.




A few weeks ago, our former helper came back to work with us. I have asked her to reconsider my proposal (which she has turned down several times before) since I'd be giving birth soon. Caring for a newborn, 2 older kids, and chores while recuperating from C-section would be a nightmare, to say the least. I was so thankful to God that she finally said yes, even if it meant she'd be here for just a few months.


How do you survive a life with no helper at home and have at least 2 kids to care for? Here are my tips:

Stop the Illusion of a perfect house

Admit it. As moms, we have imagined a house that's clean and everything in order. A house that would pass to be Instagram-worthy if not the latest home lifestyle magazine. But with young kids at home, that dream would just be a dream. How many times have you cleaned up your kids' mess only to find the place in chaos again after five minutes?

It's okay that the clothes you took down yesterday from the drying area is still on the sofa waiting to be folded.

It's okay that you've eaten lunch like 3 hours ago and that the dishes are still in the sink waiting to be washed.

It's okay to see toys in your underwear drawers because your kids placed them there.

The more you accept in your heart that you can't have that magazine illusion of a perfect house, the more you are spared from stress.


Schedule your chores

I prefer making schedules of my chores every week. It keeps me sane.

For example: On Mondays, I cook easy meals since I'd be flooded with work and homeschool in the morning. I vacuum the sofa and beds on Thursdays. Do laundry every other day.

Also, kids thrive in structures and routines so I try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. It takes a lot of experiments and chances before being able to find the best routine that works for you and the kids.

Our typical day looks like this:

  • We do our homeschool lessons for an hour right after breakfast. After that, they get to watch TV or play for an hour while I work.
  • While they play in the bathroom (bubble bath!!) for a max of 30 minutes, I prepare and cook our lunch.
  • In the afternoon while they nap, I join them for a quick snooze (preggy moms need sleep!!). After which I go back to work or shoot a video while I watch them sleep.
  • We continued homeschooling after dinner in case we weren't able to finish during the day. I do chores once they have slept. Then I worked again for an hour before I hit the sack.


The schedule is, however, subject to changes. But since they are already in place, it's easier to make adjustments.


Delegate tasks

My husband and I are partners in everything, including chores. On weekends, he cooks for us and I do the dishes. I wash the clothes, and he irons them. I teach academics to our homeschooler, and he handles the PE subject and reviews. He does the groceries, and I arrange and make portions of the items he brought home from the supermarket. I clean the house daily, he does the general cleaning.


As husband and wife, you need to be partners in chores as well. Genders do not dictate what a husband or a wife can do. If we can show our kids that men and women are equal, including doing chores, then I believe we are setting a good example.


Let your kids help

When I was younger, my parents gave us tasks at home at an early age. My training at home has helped me not only in home management but also in understanding responsibility and how my choices can shape my life.

I don't want to raise bratty and self-entitled kids. I want them to be independent, responsible, and good citizens. And one good way to teach these is to let them help at home.




Even toddlers can help. When Baby Z started walking, I also started teaching her how to do things by herself. She brings her dishes to the counter after eating and drinking, dumps her laundry inside the hamper, throws trash in the bin, returns items when prompted, and cleans up the table. These are just some of the responsibilities/activities we have modeled for her to follow.



Here is a sample of age-appropriate chores your kids can do:

Image from themontessorinotebook.com


Practical life skills are something important for me and my husband to teach our kids. Their "work" may not be perfect all the time but we try to encourage them to do it anyway.


Make time for yourself.

A happy mother makes a home happy.

Always make time for yourself. I am guilty of not being able to do this advice often. And I tell you, being a SAHM can be really draining.

Do something that makes you happy that does not include your kids and husband. Yes, be selfish. It is a great way to replenish the energy used for caring for the family.

Some women prefer shopping. Others are into crafts or books. Some women like makeup and others prefer a weekly visit to the salon.

I like spending quiet time browsing the net, making videos, or writing in my blog. Creative juices seldom visit me so most of my me-time is spent browsing the net and exchanging messages with friends and families. On rare occasions, I do my own nails.

Blogging and vlogging are some of my preferred me-time activities.





It's been weeks since our helper got back but I still feel like I have so much on my plate. It's probably because my movements are limited now that I am in my final trimester of pregnancy. I want to move this and that, go here and there, but I can't. Sometimes I feel like a sloth because I am so slow. Haha!

I hope I can help you with my few tips. Any other tips you can share? Let me know in the comment box!


Comments

  1. Oh, I have to add..

    Get/Invest on a fully-automated washing machine. It will be worth it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOw Mommy, saludo ako. And it's good your kids are helping. SAHM here for 1.5 yrs now and honestly, I just wish my almost 5-year old daughter will help me clean the house. For now, it's still just a wish. I'm still working on finding effective ways to train her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Hannah! :)

      Naku, struggle for us to ask my kids to put the toys away. But they are always willing to help in other tasks that include water (washing etc) - they think its play time.

      Delete
  3. Love this list ❤️ Great tips mommy. I love how you involve your kids.

    And also Home schooling is very flexible pala talaga ano sis? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, sis :)

      Yes, very flexible. You can homeschool kahit naliligo :D

      Delete

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