5 Tips for Avoiding Stay at Home Mom Burnout

There's more to staying home with my two daughters than just playing and cleaning. In fact, I was quick to find out that staying home with my children was every bit as difficult as working outside the home. Here are 5 tips that every stay at home mother should keep in mind to help avoid burning out.

1) Take a shower. Though it sounds simple, I found that it became quite easy to fall into a pattern where I didn't shower and get dressed every day. Some mornings I felt like I couldn't get a moments peace, so a shower truly seemed impossible. I was quick to find, however, that staying at home with my daughters was a job like any other job. I found that if I showered I was more productive. Make time to shower and get dressed for the day.

2) Make the bed. Many parents will agree that as soon as you clean something, it needs to be cleaned again. The laundry always piles up, the dishes keep filling the sink, and toys always get pulled out. One chore that I could consistently do every day and would stay done was making the bed. I love feeling like at least one chore has been done and stayed done!

3) Get out of the house. It's easy to fall into a habit of getting up and spending the day at home. There are always chores to be done and toys and games to play. In addition, it can be difficult to work around nap schedules, especially if you have more than one child. But nothing makes me feel better than getting out of the house at least once a day. Whether we go for a walk around the block, run to the bank, meet friends at the park, or meet Dad for lunch, getting out of the house can make the day go faster and seem more enjoyable. In addition, a little grown up communication can be a great thing for a stay at home mom, too!

4) Take 30 minutes for yourself, and 30 minutes with your spouse/significant other. When my daughters nap I know that I should be cleaning and getting dinner ready. But the truth is that staying home with my daughters is hard work. I've played with them all day, eaten breakfast and lunch with them, and done chores in the few minutes I've had while she is awake. When she goes down for a nap, it's "me time". It doesn't have to be for the whole naptime, but taking 30 minutes to read a book, check my email, or knit helps rejuvenate me. Similarly, I do the same with my husband at night. Even if my daughters are up late, we find 30 minutes to spend with each other after they've gone to bed. Taking care of myself and taking care of my marriage are just as important as taking care of my children.

5) Do one thing that your child really wants. Of course, I find myself playing with my children all day. So it seems silly to even suggest this. But the truth is, every day, at least once or twice, my daughters will ask me to do something and I am too busy. I'm washing dishes or picking up or carrying laundry upstairs. Once a day, though, I make it a point to stop whatever just "has" to be done and enjoy my children. After all, they are the reason I am home every day.

Staying at home to be with your children can be one of the most rewarding jobs you'll ever do. Keeping these five tips in mind can help mothers stay on the right track and avoid burnout along the way!