Do any of you wonderful mommies have advise for me on how to just slow down and enjoy my children and watch them grow and be in the moments that I get to spend instead of worrying about getting something accomplished (laundry, dishes, mop, vacuum, paint the baby's room, etc)?

I have a Kindergartner and a 4 month old, as well as a husband, pets and a house that I feel compelled to take care of.

I recently quit my job and now stay at home full time. I thought staying home would allow me to enjoy every moment of my new baby, and enjoy the time with my 5 year old even more. I do enjoy all of the time that I get with both, but it seems to be going faster than ever and it is all I can do to keep up!

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Thanks,

Kendra

I really want to be able to sit and cherish every second that I have, but I just can't sit still!

Hi Kendra,
My story sounds similar to yours other than I work seasonally in the summers and then during the fall & winters I am home full time with my 1.5 year old dd.
I guess I have just tried to let things slide a bit more, and just think 'oh well'. I used to be a lot harder on myself to get things done and have things a certain way but I now I know that it just can't be that way as much anymore.
I try to do activities with my dd and also to get out to talk to other moms as well, this helps me to enjoy her.
I also find that taking care of myself helps me to enjoy her more too.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how you are adjusting to being at home more now instead of working full time.

Thanks for your reply, I think these are good thoughts, especially about taking care of myself. Sometimes I cant even find time to shower! I also think this forum is going to be great, an opportunity to talk with other moms and keep some perspective.

I LOVE staying home full time. It is SOOOOO much more work than my full time (and then some) job. I don't know how I ever worked before, I can't imagine doing it again, not for a while anyway.

I didn't quit until the baby was born, so I had to adjust to being home, a new baby, and all of the added attention that my daughter needed while she adjusted to the baby. She and I really went around and around, and there were major power struggles to overcome. I think we are finally into a routine now that she is in school and she is really comfortable with her life with the baby. It was really hard for a while, and I am sure that we will continue to have moments. I would say that adjusting with her was the hardest part about staying home in the beginning. Now it is hard to learn to live with significantly less money. My husband and I are both struggling with that. I guess that is a whole other topic to discuss!

Thanks again for your help!

I struggle with the same issue. I have 2 dd's. One is 6 and the other 2. I often beat myself up because I'm neglecting something or someone. There is ALWAYS something to be done around here. And then when I want to have a free moment to myself I have a little one jumping on me. I guess this is just the season of life that we're in right now and we just have to figure out the best way to deal with it. Sometimes I need to remember my priorities. My children are only going to be young once and my dishes and laundry will always be there. I just have to remember to take time out and smell the roses if you KWIM. :)

In the same situation ladies...I have a 7mnth old DD & 2-1/2 yr.DS.

However this is such a beautiful time in our lives. I live by lists. I give myself a list at the beginning of the week. Give yourself a lot of breaks. Spend as much time with the kids as you can. You just have to learn & get into a routine.

Get yourself on a schedule... WARNING... THIS WILL SOMETIMES FALL TO THE WAYSIDE. However.. try it.

Reading time. Baby play time.Dance & music time.

While my DD sleeps I try to squeeze in some one on one with DS, plus he is able to help with some chores & enjoys doing it.

I didn't work while I was pregnant and stayed home with my daughter for 18 months. I returned to work as a sub secretary this past March, I like my job, I don't work very often but when I do I feel like I neglect things around the house. I should say this is how I felt. At a MOPS meeting the other week the speaker said "You are not a housekeeper, You are a homemaker." I keep repeating that to myself and if a chore doesn't get done--Oh Well it will be there later but maybe what dd is doing won't be. It's ok to stop and watch, play, hold, snuggle etc with your kids.

I spend alot of time with my one daughter. I taught her to do all of these chores with me and we spend alot of time playing while we're working..I'm just one of those mommies where my child is my life...I don't want to waste a single precious moment of my time with her...That will probably change or adjust when we increase our family, but for now its easy with it just being her...

One thing I started when she was born is a "Good Morning Hug"...Now 7yrs later she comes running to me first thing and gives me my "good morning hug"...

Maybe you could find something special thats just for each of your chidren..

Just treasure every moment because it all goes by so fast :cry: . I try to have fun with my kids and spend individual time with each of them as time permits. I talk to them about their day and ask all kinds of questions. I look through their folders with anticipation and brag and brag about the pictures they've made or work they've done. I think being very involved with your children is the best thing you can ever do for them as a parent. Sure it is nice to be able to buy them special things but they will treasure those moments of love and caring more than any material thing you can buy them. Stephanie :D

Like someone else already kinda said...include your children in the things that you do during the day...I have a 4 month old right now and there are times where it's hard to get anything done...even little things...

But she enjoys sitting in her swing...and while I'm doing the dishes and things, I'll listen to music, put her in a place where she can see me...and I'll sing to her...she always thinks that's pretty fun!

With your older child, maybe you could get her to dance to the music or something like that...as a way to entertain your 4 month old.

Make everything into a game with your older child. I find that kids are more likely to "allow" you to do the things that you need to do when they are having fun.

Make time EVERYDAY to spend with your kids...reading, drawing, singing....anything special like that. Have it be at a time when your kids are the most alert and happy...make it at about the same time everyday, no matter if you have 100 loads of laundry to do, or there are NO dishes left in your house that are clean....MAKE the time...kids work well with a schedule...so say, at 3:00 every day you spend at least 30 minutes just with your family....on Monday it could be going for a little walk...on Tuesday it could be reading books together...Wednesday could be "dance day"...etc.

Those are just my thoughts...I don't know if they helped at all! I hope that they did though. You and your kids will be happier if you're less stressed and on the go with having so much to do around the house...I think that as long as you MAKE at least a little bit of time each day to sit down with your kids...or do anything with your kids...that it will be great...don't answer the phone during your "kid time" don't have people over...just have it be you and your family. :)

Wow! This is what I have the hardest thing doing--relaxing. I don't know if it's my age or what (33). I find that whenever others things outweigh my kids I get frustrated. I focus much of my time on household chores and errands. I have a friend who lets her house go all day then at night when the kids are asleep she picks up.
I have started to try this. My problem is my husband then wants to snuggle or watch a movie....shoot, by 9 p.m. I am drained....so what to do huh? spend time with hubby--or clean house?

I am at my best when I am out of the house with my boys doing something fun......is this not the truth for all? So many of us have to maintain the house and feed our families or even work......
So, I guess this is where God comes in. He has to give us the strength to stay focused and to re-energize our batteries.