Keeping Your Sanity As A Stay At Home Mom

There are a lot of blogs as of late that claim to depict the "real" side of being a mother. How sometimes it's hard, it's rough and you just plain don't like it. I can honestly say NOTHING prepared me for being a stay at home mom. Everyday I feel like I'm failing and each morning I feel like I start over again. The struggle is real. Here are some of my tips for keeping your sanity while being at home with children. I will warn you though, some might seem gross to some of you but listen, I've heard too many stories and walked past too many stanky moms.... I know lots of us are struggling to hold it together. It's okay to admit that some days it really sucks but, it's also okay to do something about that.

My tips for getting yourself together and keeping yourself together:

1. Your House Is Always "Lived In" Looking:
You literally clean all day. You have dishes upon dishes, constantly have to pick up toys, couch is constantly being jumped on, things are always out of place. If you're someone who is used to having a nice clean magazine perfect house, get used to having a house that always looks like it is hanging on to cleanliness by a thread. I have 3 small children in my home everyday and a untidy house really just comes with the territory. Cleaning really isn't my strong point but, with 3 soon to be 4 small children I have to make it a priority or things get really nasty really quickly.

Solutions:

Clean up all day. Really. Clean the kitchen while you cook, tidy the living room every time you enter it, wipe the table down after every meal and so on. Don't leave messes to pile up or you will get overwhelmed. Every time you enter the bathroom, tidy it up; wipe down the sink, clean off the mirror etc. This really is the easiest way I've found that keeps rooms from looking like explosions. Took me YEARS to figure this one out, don't let that be you.

Put "Checklists" in each room:
For the bathroom you can put:

• Wipe down sink.
• Clean mirror.
• Pick up tissue around toilet. (I don't know why tissue is always on the loose in my bathroom)
• Wipe toilet seat down.

This will also help cut down on the spread of germs and keep sickness at bay.

Checkout my "Stay At Home Mom" Board on Pinterest! 

2. You're Going To Be Tired
I have never been so tired in my life! Being a stay at home mom is exhausting because someone always needs you RIGHT NOW. You're always getting up to go put something away, look at a scratch, fix a little person a snack or juice, there is ALWAYS someone who needs you. Having a 2 year old boy means I can't sit down for too long or else he is in something he shouldn't be. Keeping on top of children is a lot of work.

Solutions:

• Drink your water. Not just the water in your coffee! I took water for granted for many years and under my eye bags are here to show for it. I don't love drinking water but, I force myself because I know if I don't drink it I will be sluggish and aggravated during the day.
• Eat. I know it's hard to remember to eat when every time you go to put food in your mouth a little hand comes asking for a piece or you have to get up and clean up a spill. I've had many days where it's 12 o clock and I realize I still haven't eaten breakfast. Bad habit. Make time to eat. 
• Supplements. Take some multi-vitamins and give some to your children. Add Vitamin C to your water and other drinks. Do little things to boost your vitamin intake throughout the day. There are so many nutrients that we don't get in our food anymore and no matter how much you try, sometimes you need to take supplements to make sure your keep your body and mind healthy. 
• Get Out Of The House. I'm really working hard on this one. It is easy for me to stay in the house all day because, I'm an introvert. I love being inside but, it isn't healthy to always be inside. Sunshine is healthy and a great energy booster. Getting out is not just going for a car ride to a store, go for walks or just sit on the porch. Open the windows during the day let the sun in. Seriously, staying in the house all the time can make you depressed. I know from experience.

3. Looking A Hot Mess

Some Most days I look a hot mess. Despite my best efforts, I constantly have chipped polish, messy hair, and old clothes on. I know we are suppose to embrace yoga pants and t shirts but, let's face it, most of us are wearing pajamas all day. Changing from dirty pajamas to clean pajamas. Nothing will make you try harder with your appearance than having your mother in law just stop by to drop something off. You won't look magazine ready but, these tips will help you look presentable....well Target type of presentable.. 

Solutions:

• Just remove the polish. When my polish used to chip, I used to take it off immediately, now I think I've gotten immune to it. I'm trying to practice just taking it off once it starts chipping, even if I can't re-polish my nails right away. 
• Do your hair. Have you ever walked past the mirror and your hair was literally standing on top of your head? No? Just me? Okay, well whatever... I have curly hair and try to make it a habit to keep at the VERY least a tidy bun. Water, gel, a brush and ponytail holder, will get you right in 30 seconds or less. 
• Brush your teeth and wash your face.  Seriously. I never thought I'd get to a time in my life where I'd wonder if I brushed my teeth that morning. I have honestly had days where I could not remember if I washed my face. Sad truth. I suppose I've had intentions to do it but, some small child needed me RIGHT NOW. Make it a point to brush your teeth and wash your face, EVERYDAY....no, EVERY MORNING. 
• Shower daily. Become the master of the 5 minute shower. You can fit it in. 

These are simple things that most of us never thought we would have to be told to do or reminded to do but, it is really easy to let yourself go and your house go. I'm not perfect but, after feeling like crap for years I've decided to change my daily routines and it helps A LOT. Not loving life? Change it. Do what you can, where you can and make it work. I won't ever have a Pinterest perfect house or life but, that's actually okay. 

Accept this stage of your life, live it and realize soon your children will be adults and you can go back to being cute and wearing real actual clothes on a regular basis.