About to become a SAHM to 4 and 5, any advice?

[Bananahana]

We’re adopting soon, two gorgeous children, they won’t start school until Sept so I’ll be home with them from May until then, and then continue my adoption leave until May 2022.

I’m a 40 year old senior exec who has worked non stop since I was 21. I can’t wait and yet it’s also terrifying.

Any advice warmly welcome on what to do/how to structure our days, whilst their off school, and how to keep my identity, stay sane etc etc

X

You’ll probably get very different answers on the adoption board to this one.

My advice, don’t set too much store by any kind of plan, you need to be led by the DC and what they can cope with.

Outside time was crucial for us in the early days, and some time on my own was vital to my mental health.

I was a sahm for 7 years and loved it.

We were always out doing something by 9.30 am and generally didn’t return until just before lunch. We loved stick hunting, kit flying, scooting, bikes, walking, and in normal times swimming and the play farm. After lunch we would then relax, so that was film/tv time. Mid- late afternoon was crafts and then garden play whilst I cooked dinner.

Something I would say is that it doesn’t matter if things don’t get finished.

Thank you all! X

I was a SAHM for five years and now work mornings.

I think it helps to have a loose routine. Leave the house and spend a number of hours outside every day.

Children snack a lot so always have plenty of fruit, crackers, fingerfood, wetwipes in a bag.

There are some lovely children's cookbooks. We like this one www.amazon.co.uk/Farmyard-Tales-Cookbook-Stephen-Cartwright/dp/0746087993?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Don't stress about the house, don't be too house proud. Homes with children are very different to those without :).

Have fun. Make memories.