Tips for a new stay at home mum...

[awittyusername]

Hello ladies,

First ever post, and unsure I've got the right board, I couldn't really find a nice fit.

I'm lucky enough to be able to hand my notice in next week, and leave my job of 10 years to raise my 2 year old son. I'm excited and nervous about my new job and boss!

What are your top tips from making a successful transition from career girl to supermum?

Thanks!

1)Get out of the house twice a day even if it is just a trip to the library.

2. Maintain an enormous arts and craft cupboard.

3)Don't get marooned with just one group of mum friends who do everything together. There's always some sort of trouble eventually.

Ermm, that's all that comes to mind (it was a while ago), but I'd drop the 'supermum' ambition - you'll exhaust yourself in a month

Exciting for you. How long is your notice period?

I did pause when i typed supermum, but went ahead tongue in cheek anyway!

thanks for the tips, really useful, particularly the mummy gang one.

i have a month notice, but quite a bit of holiday, hoping i can get paid for that and just work the four weeks. notice not going in until the end of the month as my maternity repayment year isnt up until then! cheeky.

Go to lots of groups - not necessarily formal ones eg gym, swimming, but mums and toddlers are great too. Gives you both a chance to socialise with different people.
Make use of free groups eg singing/story sessions at the library.
Don't expect too much of yourself - somedays nothing will be done

Enjoy it, slow down. Its so nice to be able to take time to do things with patience with a 2yo. A loose routine keeps me sane but I don't do any playgroups at all so the day really belongs to us.

Structure your day...ours goes something like out to a toddler group or run some errands, lunch, sleep, playground or planned activity (baking with me, making pasta jewellery etc etc), then dinner, bed etc. it sounds a bit silly planning stuff, but it keeps me sane and motivated!

Yes staying motivated is what worries me! so easy to just fritter away a day in your PJ's! Thank you everyone, very helpful.

Get stuck in volunteering at your local toddler group or preschool. They are always crying out for people and it's good to do something that reminds you that you are a capable, responsible, adult, not just a mum! I don't mean just helping out with the kids - our preschool relies on volunteers to do all sorts of admin roles and fundraising.

thats a good idea rhubarbgarden, helps to keep my office skills up too!

I'm a SAHM to 3 and would say don't try and cram too many activities in in one day. We get out of the house in the morn and are at home in the pm. We will go to park, cafe library, toddler group etc in the morn come home have lunch, youngest has a sleep while my 3 yr old either does drawing or plays or watches a DVD. I try and encourage her to do something on her own( not in a mean way obviously) but it gives me chance to tidy up,sort out tea prep, or put a wash on or whatever. Then usually we will read together or play a game before the baby wakes up. But the best advice would be relax and enjoy it!! :)

Series record your fav programmes then if you're EVER tempted to watch daytime tv you can watch the recorded stuff instead.

I would definitely advise having a hobby, or self study, or volunteering like PP have described. It can be good for you to have something unrelated to childcare to occupy your brain.

do what ever the 2 of you want to do be it stay in and watch dvd's or go swimming you will never get this much time again without other commitments enjoy it and remember all the group and structured activities in the world will never be more beneficial to you son than just being with mummy you have the rest of his life to 'do things'

Also go out alone at least twice a week or you'll forget your real name and start introducing yourself as mummy :)

Make a list of all those things to do/places to go that you've never had time to do before and when you're really bored, make the extra effort to do something different. The everyday activities can sometimes get humdrum and you need something you're excited about to keep up your mood. E.g. I went to Harry Potter world with DS (2) this week and really enjoyed it. It made a change from the toddler group/park/shops, etc.

I find I need decent adult company every day so I pick activities where I know people or there are opportunities to chat. We do toddler groups, volunteer at breastfeeding support, some classes. I try to get out every morning and spend afternoon at home.

Also, if there are any attractions (zoos, children's museums etc) that are close and you know your ds enjoys then it might be worth buying a membership so you can go whenever you want. Normally they pay for themselves pretty quickly and can cost less than a years worth of toddler classes.

I'm not a SAHM at the moment but I would suggest;

• get out every day, even if it's to the swings

• don't do too much too soon, expensive play sessokns are IMHO best saved until DC are older or you have a second to entertain

• follow a couple of craft blogs The Imagination Tree is a good one, and get a pintrest account. Not just for craft (which my two dont do) but for outside ideas and ways to encourage play even on bad days.

• keep a scrapbook, take photos, explore, grow easy veg

• graciously accept defeat occasionally and have a duvet day

• know lots of people, its great to have friends with children the same age but don't set out to be friends with people just because they have children the same age. Have interests in common. Do things you want to do, go to museums, long walks, what do you enjoy? Your son will learn through you :-)

• remember who you are, go out once a week. Don't become a doormat.