Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
need a pep talk from other SAHMs
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
How about a kid's exercise video? That way you can exercise together if getting to the gym is too hard. Or even use a low key mom's exercise video and try to get them to follow along. My 2 yo likes to watch them, though his attempt to do yoga are pretty hilarious and I tend to crack up instead of getting any exercise  .
|
Anonymous
|
Part-time here.
I've found if we stay cooped up in the house, my son and I both go stir-crazy and I start daydreaming about going back to work full-time. I've found getting out of the house to do anything helps. My most recent discover is the joy of petstores. They have birds, hamsters and fish (some even had cats). I can even get my son to be patient through a trip to Target if he gets to go to Petsmart afterword (we do buy our dog supplies there, so I don't feel too bad about using them as entertainment). We also try to get outside for a short period of time, unless it is freezing cold. On my good days, I find something around the house to "make a new toy" like turning a big box into a garage for cars. |
Anonymous
|
I second the pet store.
Another idea is the grocery store. If it doesn't drive you crazy, Giant has these new scanners that my kid LOVES. You get a little gun-type thing and you basically scan all of your items before you get to the check out line and then you don't really have to do anything but pay at the end. It turns an hour in the grocery store from a chore into an activity. |
Anonymous
| I was in your shoes, now I work 3 days a week and love it. I never tire of my kids and I never tire of my job. Today is my Friday! I work TWTh and then have a 4 day weekend. Today during nap, I emailed my boss and his response was exactly this STOP WORKING, ITS YOUR DAY OFF! |
Anonymous
|
OP, I hear ya sister. I completely empathize being at home with 2 boy toddlers. It is groundhog day most days. Lately, I find it so hard to get through the endless days and counting the minutes till my husband comes home. Like you, I get out as much as possible considering the weather, but I feel like a shell of my former professional self many days. I know that it will get better though, and try my best to remind myself that I will miss these days one day when my kids want nothing to do with me.
|
Anonymous
|
Marches!
Got a CD of marching music at the library, added it to my iPod, and have spent much of this spectacularly sucky afternoon doing circles around the living room. Two metal coasters for cymbals, one bean-filled cocktail shaker, two twirly cloth napkins and the obligatory pan-with-wooden-spoon have only added to the fun. (And noise -- did I mention we're in a condo?) God bless John Philip Sousa. |
Anonymous
That sounds dreadful. |
Anonymous
No, dreadful is dealing with sub-Arctic weather, a toddler who refused his nap, a morning schedule that precluded a shower, crazy freelance client deadlines and four wake-ups between midnight and 6 a.m. last night. When faced with all that, you might call in the Marine Band too. |
Anonymous
| Winter swimming lessons and indoor swimming help me!!! We get a little exercise no matter what the weather's like. Get a couple of life jackets and go to the nearest indoor county pool open swim. I like the Bethesda YMCA -- because it's in my neighborhood and because the water is extremely warm for the kids. It also has childcare/gym; so if you happen to be close, you can kill a lot of time here. Swim, then take the kids to the playroom and workout/hit the sauna. |
Anonymous
That is interesting you wrote that b/c we have parades in our house - all around the living room, kitchen, and dining room. My DD pulls along all the pull-string toys she can. Maybe I should add some marching music to go with it.
|
Anonymous
Warning: this poster is NOT a real mother, btw. Just likes to lurk and make other moms feel bad. |
Anonymous
Like we need any help feeling bad, right? Go away freak. |
Anonymous
Oh, I thought you were marching with them. I used to do some freelance work, but my go to was Dora and Diego  So I KNOW what you mean about the desparation.
|
Anonymous
|
I stay home full time and love love it! HOWEVER that being said, you need a break as everyone does. If you can afford it, get a sitter - even for 5-10 hours a week (not during nap time) that is your break in the house. I have a sitter come 10 hours a week and it is great!! Also, not sure what your children's nap schedule is but if you can, try to get them both napping at the same time at least for one nap a day. That hour or two alone in the house with noone awak is my saving grace. It sounds like you have lots of activities. Maybe form or join a playgroup
|
Anonymous
|
If my 2 napped at the same time, I think I would feel like a whole new woman. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The day is long and very repetitive, so I completely understand where the OP is coming from. It seems like a dirty little secret that SAHMs keep --- how bored they are. I think we all understand that we should count our blessings that we can even stay at home, so none of us wants to admit how at the end of our rope we are on a regular basis. Makes me realize even more how important it is that I stay at home though. If my own kids, who I love more than life itself, can make me want to blow a gasket, how can I expect a nanny to treat them with more love and affection.
It's just a tough gig, but we just have to remind ourselves how lucky we are. |