5 Ways To Gain Autonomy As A Stay-At-Home Mom

Intro – One thing I have really enjoyed since starting my blog is connecting with other mommas and understanding their takes on being a stay-at-home mom and wife, as well as tips and suggestions to assist in navigating such a wonderful and sometimes challenging situation for us women. My vision for The Expressive Mom has always been to allow the opportunity for others to use my platform for ways it will benefit not only myself, but others in some way. With that being said, I am super excited to introduce a wonderful SAHM I had the pleasure of meeting on social media and have begun building a momma partnership I see flourishing into something great! Please enjoy this wonderful guest post by Olivia of Leaf and Steel!!!

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There’s no job like raising babies. If you’re on the path of stay-at-home parenthood, you may have noticed by now that it’s remarkably easy to lose yourself. 

Stay-at-home moms don’t get nearly the credit they deserve for the hours and hours of monotonous work. Here are some easy ways you can feel more like yourself as a stay-at-home mom!

Before I had my daughter, I had big plans of being the “cool mom” and fully intended on maintaining my independence. I pictured myself leaving her as a newborn to go out for coffee with friends, reading books while she slept, and spending time writing at night.

That all went out the window once she was born. I was so completely in love with her and being a mom. It wasn’t until maybe a year in when I noticed that she was my entire existence – I had let go of all the things that made me “me”. I spent maybe 4-5 hours a month away from her. I love her so much, but I needed to feel like a real person again!

Here are some of the things I started to do that made me feel whole again!

• Reclaim Your Mornings

Wake up before your kids! This is a game changer. Whether it’s a few hours or twenty minutes, waking up bright and early is an easy way to stay sane. I know that I used to wake up when my daughter did, and chaos always ensued. Taking time in the morning to write, exercise, and drink my coffee in peace helps me retain my sense of self. 

• Schedule Breaks

Get yourself a big old calendar and schedule some breaks. I am very fortunate that so many people around me want to help take care of my daughter. The problem is, I never let them! For a long time, I didn’t feel deserving of a break and I honestly didn’t want time away from my daughter.

Now that I spend a few hours a week away from her, I see how much it benefits both of us. I have my “me time” to do whatever I want, and she gets to practice being independent from her mama and spend time with loved ones. I purchased a detailed calendar for our fridge and I schedule time for myself as far in advance as possible!

• Get a Hobby

Get a hobby, or better yet, pick up a new one! It’s easy for us to get lost in our to-do lists and scrolling on social media. Good, old fashioned hobbies are getting lost today. Taking some time while the baby sleeps to do something you love that doesn’t involve your little one should be a more normalized part of parenting! 

I know I’m guilty of the new pressure to turn hobbies into side-hustles. I want to caution you that trying to monetize simple things that you enjoy isn’t always the way to go. Not everyone needs an Etsy shop or a business Instagram. Try to do something because you enjoy it.

• Budget Yourself In

If you’re a stay-at-home parent, I’m going to guess that you keep a close eye on finances. It can be hard to spend someone else’s money and feel okay about it. Make no mistake, raising children is Work, and you are worth the rewards! Talk to your partner about budgeting for manicures, a yoga class, dance class- whatever it is that makes you feel like a human being again.

• Maintain Kid Free Spaces

I know all my fellow small-house-mamas are looking around their space right now and saying “how?”. We have a few spaces in our house that are devoid of children’s toys, pacifiers, and cracker dust. Find these spaces and cherish them.

So, there are five ways stay-at-home moms can feel like more than just a “MOM”!

What do you do to stay sane as a stay-at-home parent?

Do you do anything on this list?

Let us know below!

About The Guest Blogger Momma – Olivia

“Olivia is a blogger at Leaf and Steel and a stay-at-home mom. She enjoys writing, sleeping in, and cutting her daughter’s sandwiches into shapes.

Leaf and Steel is a collective on all things motherhood, love, and living. Started in 2017, Leaf and Steel strives to bring young women together in an empowering and safe space. You can find her at Leaf and Steel or on Instagram.”