Becoming a SAHM was the best thing I ever did.
Brief answers:
What do you do all day? Do you do structured activities outside the home - playgroups, classes etc?
Did Wednesday baby and toddler group and Friday nosey around other people's houses NCT coffee mornings. Other than that, no specific activities.
Do you try to provide structured activities at home - painting, cooking etc? If so, how much of this do you do?
Not structured as in timetabled, but I did spent lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of time building Lego structures with then-toddler DS. Also invented lots of games with him and DD (then a baby). Lots of outsidey stuff (sand-pits, bowls with water and plastic pouring things, making pizza out of cardboard circles plus leaves, sand parmesan etc etc etc etc). Also went for lots of long walks (inc. poking in puddles, paddling in streams etc). Had a v good book of child-friendly walks, and used it a lot.
How much TV watching do you allow?
Didn't allow much. They had DVDs rather than TV, as they liked the routine of familiar DVD, plus I knew and liked what they watched (Teletubbies, Thomas, Cinderella).
Do you have lots of other SAHM friends? I didn't at the start, but did by the time the DCs were 2 and 4.
Do you ever get time off? rarely!!!
What are the great bits? Knowing that you are giving your children what they want more than anything in the universe: your time. Acres and acres of it. Even if you're washing up, you are still there with them. There's no such thing as quality time: children want you to be there. I think it gives them a huge sense of security.
What are the bad bits?
You never get to iron more than one thing before someone wants you for something. Not being able to go for a wee without an audience.
What mistakes have you made that you have learnt from?
I didn't get out enough when I just had DS. I was prejudiced when it came to toddler groups, and thought they would be full of people who weren't my type. I was wrong!
Any advice for me, really!
Get a routine of some sort asap.
Walk everywhere. It uses up lots and lots of time, and wears them out.
Supermarkets etc are perfectly possible, but take careful forward planning.
Oh, also - how much general housework do you manage to fit in? More now that they are at school.
Do you take care of it all?
Now - yes. When DCs were small, had a cleaner once a week.
Does your H or partner give you 'time off' during evenings and weekends, or help out?
DH works from home, and hides in the study. He will help if I specifically ask him to do so, but I find it easier to do it all my way.
Do you manage any 'me time'?
Yes - from when they were v small, I trained them not to disturb me for 30 mins after lunch while I played the piano. That is my 'me' time!!