As a working mom, you might be having some trouble adjusting to your new role as a stay at home mom and/or a stay at home working mom during this time of social distancing. I’ve never done the math to see if I actually need to work to make ends meet, but it doesn’t matter because I choose to work. For me, working makes me a better mom, but it also doesn’t mean I am a bad mom when needing to be a stay at home mom. Here are some things that we are going to do while social distancing. I hope it can help you!
Keep some sort of a schedule.
I asked my son’s daycare for their detailed daily schedule when we decided to keep him home during the social distancing. While the big items like snack times, lunch, and nap time will be kept exactly the same, the other things in their schedule gave me an idea of how to come up with our own schedule at home. For instance, we can easily spend more than the 30 minutes outside that his daycare schedule allows. (Ewan is the most manageable outside!) If being very detailed stresses you out you can use the block schedule system.
Don’t do all the activities in one day.
It is really temping for me to get everything out and have a free for all! Try spreading the activities out. Maybe Tuesday and Thursday are water activity days, Monday and Wednesday are park days, and Friday and Sunday are bike ride days. Something like that. I’ll keep you updated on what we decide to do and how it is working!
Invest in some toys/activities.
By this I mean something like a water play table or small baby pool for the yard. Some things we already have for Ewan to do are:
- coloring
- play dough
- sidewalk chalk
- outdoor toddler play set
- tricycle
The news things we invested in are:
- kids outdoor yard tool set
- baby pool
- water table
- bike trailer
I know that seems like a lot (and you don’t have to spend a lot of money), but I personally have a hard time being inside with Ewan all day. The water table and bike trailer are something that I have been wanting to purchase for a while and haven’t been able to find a good used one. This of course is in addition to the toys he has inside.
Try to be flexible and ask for help.
I am naturally not a very flexible person so this is pretty hard for me. However, if I think about needing to be flexible ahead of time it helps. Don’t be afraid to ask your stay at home mom friends for tips either! And don’t forget to check in on them as well. Their schedules may have been totally disrupted. We need to work together!
Don’t forget about your mental health.
Mental health self care and physical self care is of the upmost importance during times of higher stress. Don’t forget about the routines you have already established or maybe even start new ones. Since I am now working from home (NOT a fan!), I have really enjoyed taking bike rides, working in the yard, sitting on the back porch, and going for a drive. All are things I can do alone or with Ewan. I also have no problems asking my husband to look after Ewan if I need some time alone.
You are doing great, mama. If you are feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, please, reach out for help. If you feel overwhelmed and need to talk to someone. Please, reach out. Have HOPE, because there is HEALING!
In hope and healing,
Brittany
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV)
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (Non Emergencies)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Postpartum Support International Support Coordinators
Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health Symptoms (from Postpartum Support International)
My Beloved 