Where are my fellow stay-at-home moms of school-age kids? If you’re anything like me, you’re realizing your partner is going back to the office for the first time in a long time, and your kid is going to school. At the same time! All day! Your life is about to change! I’m not one to wish time away, and I’ve loved having extra time with my family, but that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a huge upside to school starting. August is basically the SAHM’s summer break because we finally get to be alone and do all the things we’ve needed to do without interruption.
Obviously, the life of stay-at-home moms isn’t always luxurious. There is still a lot to do, and the number of tasks we have on our plate can feel overwhelming. But first…
Take a breath.
I know a lot of us had a lot of summer plans, maybe even more than usual, and it’s been a whirlwind of two months trying to fit in all the summer fun. So sit down. Catch up on your favorite reality TV. Maybe grab a fun summer read! All the tasks you need to do will still be there tomorrow.
Prioritize yourself.
What do you need from your time? What do you want your days to look like? Maybe you want to add in an exercise routine. Maybe you need some time to read every day. Maybe you realize you need to find a new hobby to enjoy. Whatever it is, remember that your needs and hobbies matter just as much as everyone else’s in your family. Also, please don’t forget to eat lunch.
It’s time for the great toy purge.
Less is more. And we’ve had our kids at home more than usual in the last 16 months. In our house, toys have piled up, and not much has left. My daughter has outgrown a lot of her toys. It’s time to donate! Getting rid of all the clutter feels so good, and it’s a lot easier to do when the kids are not home.
Organize, organize.
Create the systems that work for your home and help your days go smoother. Declutter the cabinets. Donate the clothes that no longer fit. Break each area of the house into smaller tasks and tackle them while listening to a true-crime podcast.
Deep clean.
I know, no one really wants to do this. But it feels so good once it’s done, and now that everyone isn’t home 24/7, the house has a chance to breathe. It can maybe even stay clean for longer than 30 minutes. You can even break this up into a few days and listen to a good audiobook.
