Life at Home

Recently, a friend has asked for advice about being a stay-at-home mom.  I'm no expert, but I have learned a lot over the past 16 months.  Since she is also a teacher, this post may focus a bit on leaving that field.  Here is what has been true for me (in no particular order):

1. At times, I miss adult interaction.  Getting out and about, mommy-and-me classes, and joining local parent clubs has helped.
2. Financially, the only time I feel a little bummed about not earning money is when I want to buy something for Mate.  Essentially, he's buying his own gift.  Since we've been together for so long, we have the mindset that everything we have has been earned as a couple.  This has definitely made the transition from two incomes to one easier.  I just contribute in a different way, now.  It helps to remember that you are saving your family money, too.  We don't pay for child care, I have time to clip occasional coupons, we don't eat out much because I am home to prepare meals, my commute to work doesn't require any gas, I don't spend money on professional clothing, hundreds of dollars aren't going to my classroom/students, etc.   
3. Routine is really important.  It will change as the kids grow, but having one makes life so much easier.
4. Invest in a really good stroller.
5. I have one household chore assigned to each weekday.  I spend about 30 minutes completing each day's task.  Here's what I do:
Monday: Wash floors
Tuesday: Dust
Wednesday: Bathrooms
Thursday: Vacuum
Friday: Kitchen
6. Be prepared for your weekends to go less smoothly than your weekdays.  Husbands have a tendency to mess up the routine.  For teachers, this can be particularly disturbing.  I've learned to try and appreciate the help instead of worrying about the way the help is being offered.  I am still a work in progress with this one.  It's really, really, really, hard to give up control.
7. I"m still a teacher, my classroom just looks different
8. Find something that you do for yourself.  Mine is silly and small, but it works.  I don't hesitate to buy a small coffee from the McDonald's drive-thru when I'm out and about.  It only costs $1, someone else prepared it, and it reminds me of my best teaching friend.  She and I would pick each other up coffee on the way to school in the morning, or diet cokes in the afternoon.
9. On the tough days, just remember that everything is temporary.  Our children will eventually sleep through the night, wipe their own butts, feed themselves, clean-up their own messes, understand what we are saying to them, learn what personal space is, etc.  
10.  I don't do things just because other parents are doing them and I never feel guilty about that.